The Dreams with Keni Lewis - (They Call Me) Jessie James

I thought The Dreams were Frankie Karl's group, but 'Jessie James' is clearly a Gene Dozier-Keni Lewis record. Dozier fronted the Brotherhood in '66, and produced some of the first true funk records for Minit. Keni Lewis, before he became a saint, was with Shrine as a group member(Cairos/Enjoyables), writer, and arranger. This is obviously a collaboration of the two, with Keni on lead, and Gene pumping the band. Great record on the tiny D.C. Sound Ltd. label before these guys went on to produce and write for some of the West Coast's biggest stars. And Sainthood.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Northern
• Soul
• Oldies
• Keni
• St.
• Lewis
• Gene
• Dozier
• Funk
• Dance

[blackmalelaw]

Another track did with Gene. A few of us were in Gladys' rhythm section, playing the Howard when Gene invited us over. There were several tracks if memory serves, that were pumping on DC radio for the longest. Stan Lucas on guitar, Gene on Piano, don't remember the drummer 'cause George didn't want to do it. and me, James Wesly "Jimmy" Smith on bass.

[jazzfanmd]

WOL, WOOK, Teen A Rama, I definitely remember this song!

[weenielongus]

When this record was out (around 1969-1970), and WOL in DC would play it, I'd stop whatever I was doing in jr. high school until it was over!! Man, I would dance SO hard to this, STILL sounds good 4 decades later!! I'd always have to listen to it 3 - 4 times in a row because it's too dag-gone short, otherwise it's the perfect funk record!!

[chylogurti]

Had this on JayBoy. Quality northern soul. Thanks

[AnitaLife27]

Awesome song, thanks for posting! Tweeted and Facebooked. This song should have been a huge hit. It's a Jerry Blavat Philly fav tho.

[REGROY1913]

Thanks for posting this! I bought this record when I was a teenager and I still have it. I always thought that it was one of the funkiest records that I had heard at the time. The gruff vocals and the driving beat were spot on, and it sounded like nothing else out at the time. I think that it would have gone national with better airrplay.

[kenistlewis]

Where did you get this?