Burning The Ground Exclusive 1985
“This Ain’t No Fantasy” is a single recorded by American jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis, released in 1985 on Columbia Records from the LP Fantasy. In December 1985 “This Ain’t No Fantasy” reached #88 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart and #48 on the Billboard Dance Chart. There was not a music video filmed for the song.
On September 12, 2022, Lewis passed away in his sleep at his home in Chicago at age 87.
THIS SIDE:
This Ain’t No Fantasy (Part One) (Extended Remix With Male Vocal) 6:06
THAT SIDE:
This Ain’t No Fantasy (Part Two) (Extended Remix With Female Vocal) 7:06
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | This Ain’t No Fantasy | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #88 |
| 1985 | This Ain’t No Fantasy | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #48 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44 05311
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Jazzdance
CREDITS:
- Engineer – Alan Meyerson, Don Wershba
- Engineer [Second] – Nick Delre
- Executive-Producer – George Butler
- Mastered By – Vlado Meller
- Producer – Morris “Butch” Stewart*
- Producer [Additional], Mixed By – Shep Pettibone
- Written By – P. Leonard
- Written-By – M. “Butch” Stewart*
NOTES:
Special versions taken from the Columbia LP “Fantasy”.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Thank you so much for this one. Ramsey Lewis is one of my favorite jazz pianists/composers. My uncle and brothers were really into his music in the 70s and 80s. He had a long career. He also had a great smooth R&B collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire in the mid-1970s – Sun Goddess. It almost reached the top 40 (#44), and hit #20 on the R&B chart.
Also, his 1965 live cover of the Beatles “And I Love Her” is sublime:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=NdDY8mBFKMk
Thank you for this post. It’s super interesting to hear these lost Shep Pettibone mixes.
I’m totally shocked to see a jazz composer like Ramsey Lewis being showcased on BTG! This is a pleasant surprise as I’m a huge jazz fan. Jazz is what led me to defect from commercial radio and pop music in general, right around January of 1985. If Jazz is my musical Gateway Drug does this mean that Ramsey Lewis, Duke Ellington, et al are my drug dealers?? Yikes! After discovering BTG for myself several summers ago and now your sharing some Ramsey Lewis (which I didn’t have, thanks for that), it’s like I’ve come full circle. Thanks for the sweet… Read more »
I had no idea that Ramsey Lewis ever charted anything! Thanks!!
He had several U.S. Pop and R&B charting hits from 1964 to 1987. Ramsey Lewis – Wikipedia
Thank you so much Paul! Never heard of Ramsey Lewis. So happy to make another great discovery! Your obscure 80s posts are always much appreciated 🙂
You’re welcome, Daniel 🙂
Like what Retro Hound said, this is totally new to me also, but I am excited to hear it. And a Shep Pettibone remix to boot!! Retro Hound is so right when he pointed out that back when, we would hear many different genres on the charts.
Thanks, Paul!
Jeff
I agree, Jeff the 80s had something for everyone. On the pop chart, you could hear several genres and age groups it was a very eclectic time for music.
It’s super catchy, thanks again Paul! Jeff, you must be so excited about Shep Pettibone as the remixer.
I am, Retro Hound! Paul is so amazing because he finds out about tracks that are terrific, and also the producers/remixers we crave connected to the records!! He’s brilliant!!
Jeff
Couldn’t agree more!
You simply can’t go wrong with a Shep Pettibone remix! Maybe one day, Rhino will put out a box set with all 5 million remixes by him! Until then, we are lucky that Paul keeps digging up these obscure 12″ vinyls.
And I agree with all of you, the 80s were amazing! There was such an explosion of subgenres, which made it very exciting! It saddens me when all these 80s compilations always concentrate on the same handful of songs, when there was such variety back then!
Thank you for another wonderful selection, Paul!
You’re welcome, Martika. That is why I love listening to American Top 40 shows, especially in the 80s you heard country, pop, R&B, and not just young artists of the time either. The 80s were fantastic for music lovers.
Paul, the ’80s had some musical diversity on the charts and radio, but NOTHING like the ’60s and early ’70s. You’ll be blown away at what a Top 40 station would play back then. (Of course, there weren’t 20+ competing musical formats back then either.)
Thank you Paul!! Totally new to me and I’m so excited for this. I love the jazz artists at the time who had chart success well into their careers. Herbie Hancock comes to mind. Proves the 80s were THE time when everyone from all genres was welcome to the charts with catchy, modern sounding tunes. Thank you again!
You’re welcome, retro Hound. I hope you enjoy this one. 🙂
Thanks for this classic!
You’re welcome, Rafael 🙂
Thanks, Paul! I’ve never heard this but it’s pretty catchy and upbeat…could probably do well today if released. The front artwork reminds me of Chaka Khan’s I Feel For You artwork, Power Station’s Some Like It Hot, and some other big hit I can’t put my finger on right now. Have a great day!
You’re welcome, Fred. Have a great day 🙂
Love it that he had such a “late period” hit! I think of Ramsey as a 50s/60s artist. Thanks for sharing this !
You’re welcome, Grant. I think he was 50 when he released this one. 🙂
Way cool – longevity!