Pieces of a Dream is an American R&B and jazz fusion group.
Overview The group was formed in Philadelphia during 1976 by bassist Cedric Napoleon, drummer Curtis Harmon, and keyboardist James Lloyd who were all teenagers at the time. The group based their name on "Pieces of Dreams", a Michel Legrand tune recorded by Stanley Turrentine that they regularly performed. In 1981 Pieces of a Dream had a minor soul hit with "Warm Weather" with vocals by singer Barbara Walker and synthesizer by Dexter Wansel, which was recorded on Elektra Records and co-produced by Dexter Wansel. In late 1983, the group had their most successful single, "Fo-Fi-Fo", which peaked at No. 13 on the US soul chart. During their time with Elektra Records from 1981 to 1983, the group's first three albums were produced by saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr.
The single "What Can I Do", from the album 'Bout Dat Time, with Norwood on the lead vocals, peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart in February 1990.
Tracy Hamlin was the group's lead vocalist from 2002 to 2005 and sings on two of their albums, Love Silhouette and No Assembly Required.No Assembly Required
In 2006 the band invited saxophonist Tony Watson Jr. to work with them on their album ‘Pillow Talk’. Tony Watson Jr. has continued to play with the band and has since been made an official partner. In 2016 Tony Watson Jr. suggested they add percussionist Elec Simon, a musician Tony Watson Jr. knew since they were both located in Canton, Ohio. After the band came to see Elec perform with Tony, they invited Elec Simon to join and he has been a member ever since. Elec Simons’ first performance with the band was done in Dallas, Texas.
David Dyson has been the core bassist with the group from 2001 to the present and has also been a composer on No Assembly Required, Soul Intent, In The Moment, Just Funkin' Around, and Fired Up. Gerald Veasley and Scott Ambush have shared the bass chair intermittently as well.
Bassist Cedric A. Napoleon died in June 2024.
Discography Studio albums Year Title Peak chart positions Record label US US R&B US Jazz US Con. Jazz US Tra. Jazz 1981 Pieces of a Dream 170 37 15 — — Elektra 1982 We Are One 114 22 4 — — 1983 Imagine This 90 16 — — 4 1986 Joyride 102 18 — — 3 Manhattan 1988 Makes You Wanna — 60 — 24 — 1989 Bout Dat Time — 57 — — — 1993 In Flight — 81 44 7 — 1995 Goodbye Manhattan — — 9 8 — Blue Note 1997 Pieces — — 13 9 — 1999 Ahead To The Past — — 11 9 — 2001 Acquainted With The Night — — 20 12 — Heads Up 2002 Love's Silhouette — — 16 8 — 2004 No Assembly Required — — 11 6 — 2006 Pillow Talk — — 8 4 — 2009 Soul Intent — — 11 5 — 2013 In The Moment — — 6 3 — Shanachie 2015 All In — — 10 3 — 2017 Just Funkin' Around — — 6 2 — 2019 On Another Note — — — 1 — 2021 Fired Up — — — — — 2025 We Got This — — — — — "—" denotes the release failed to chart
Compilation albums Year Title Peak chart positions Record label US Pop US R&B US Jazz US Con. Jazz 1995 The Best Of.. — — 31 19 Blue Note 2002 Sensual Embrace - The Soul Ballads — — 30 18 Blue Note 2004 Sensual Embrace 2: More Soul Ballads — — 16 11 Blue Note 2005 Blue Note Trip: Jazzanova — — — — "—" denotes the release failed to chart
Singles Year Title Chart positions Album US USDance USR&B UK 1981 "Warm Weather" — — 54 — Pieces of a Dream 1982 "Mt. Airy Groove" — 55 33 — We Are One 1983 "Fo Fi Fo" 107 — 15 — Imagine This 1984 "It's Time for Love" — — 65 —1986 "Say La La" — — 16 94 Joyride "Joyride" — — 65 —1988 "Ain't My Love Enough" — — 71 — Makes You Wanna "Rising to the Top" — — 49 841989 "'Bout Dat Time" — — 32 — 'Bout Dat Time "What Can I Do?" — — 17 — "—" denotes the release failed to chart
References
External links Official website Official site of David Dyson