Detroiter Mike Jemison is best remembered for the plethora of secular releases that he recorded for Ernest Kelley’s independent Geneva label during the 1970’s and 80’s. Of which the excellent “You’ll Never Get My Love” is now regarded as a modern soul anthem.

Mike had honed his vocal skills as a five year old in his father’s church, singing alongside his brother Clarence and their sisters Sylvia, LaDonna and Janice in the family group known as “The Jemisonettes”.

In 1986 Mike recorded “Congratulations/Ain’t No Use (Geneva 600) which was to be his last secular recording. The following year Mike returned to the recording studio to cut the acclaimed gospel album “He’s My Friend” for the Sound City Label.

In 1991 Mike was ordained as a Baptist Minister but still continues to perform and record as a gospel artist often sharing the same billing as Aretha Franklin.

It is from Mike’s most recent album project that we at Soul Junction have lifted the following two tracks. The upbeat “Hold On, He’s Coming” which marries Mike’s excellent vocals with a strong dance beat, a song we feel has great crossover potential with soul and gospel fans alike. Together with the flipside, which features the more sophisticated “Call On Me”, the title song from the album.

 Mike Jemison Biography

Michael (Mike) Jemison was born on February 4^th 1958 on the East side Of Detroit. He was the third child of six who were raised by the Reverend Wilson Jemison Sr and his wife Annabel.

Mike had honed his vocal skills as a five year old in his father’s church singing alongside his brother Clarence and their sisters Sylvia, LaDonna and Janice in the family group known as “The Jemisonettes”.

Mikes introduction to secular music would not come about until he had completed a degree in business studies at the Franklin University in Columbus Ohio. Mike had been a long time friend of Carolyn Franklin, (Aretha’s little sister). It was following an introduction by Carolyn that Mike first became involved with his future mentor Ernest Kelley who signed him to his Geneva label.

Mikes first recording session in 1973 yielded a funkier version of the Soul Twins classic “Quick Change Artist” coupled with “I Want Some Satisfaction” (Geneva 506).

Ernest Kelley had previously recorded “I Want Some Satisfaction” on some of his other artists, Willie Collins, Billy Sha-Rae and Betty Bibbs in the hope of turning the song in to a future Standard.

Mikes next release came in 1975 when he cut “When Your Around/Let’s Bring Back The Good Times”(Geneva 510) which was later leased to United Artists just as they were about to disband their record division.

A second deal with a major label would later follow. Through Ernest Kelley’s relationship with Henry Allen at Atlantic Records Mike was signed to their subsidiary label, Cotillion. Cotillion only issued one release on Mike Jemison the 1984 recording

“You Make Me Feel The Way You Do” a cover version of a Barrett Strong song from two years earlier. Sadly due to the sudden death of Henry Allen the Atlantic deal ended prematurely. A further proposed deal with MCA never came to fruition due to the death of Al Perkins.

Mike Jemison’s Geneva releases had been gaining a popular following amongst modern soul aficionados in the UK especially his next release “You Never Get My Love” (Geneva 514) which is now regarded as a all time anthem. “You Never Get My Love” was also issued on the Lake label using the same catalogue number as the Geneva release.

In 1986 Mike recorded “Congratulations/”Ain’t No Use” (Geneva 600) which was to be his last secular recording. A compilation album of Mikes Geneva recording was later released for the Japanese market.

In 1987 Mike recorded the acclaimed gospel album “He’s My Friend” for the City Sound Label. The album featured “Reflections of the Man Inside” which also gained a 45 release.

Mike Jemison is a devoted family man, who with his wife Kimberley, have raised a family of four fine children, Stephan, Leah, Christopher and Sasha, with Sasha being somewhat of a four year old singing and dancing sensation!

In1991 Mike was ordained as a Baptist Minister and still continues to perform and record as a gospel artist, often sharing the same billing as Aretha Franklin, who he accompanied when she was honoured by Washington TV station BET on their Walk of Fame programme.

Following on from his 2007 “Worthy” album release, Mike has been working his current album project, and it is from this that we at Soul Junction have lifted the following two tracks.

The upbeat “Hold On, He’s Coming” which marries Mike’s excellent vocals with a strong dance beat. A song we feel has great crossover potential with soul and gospel fans alike. Together with the Title song from the album “Call On Me” a sophisticated Jazz influenced little number.

Mikes future plans also include recording a live show at the Christ Word Outreach Ministry Church in Detroit, of which he is the Pastor.

Dave Welding 

Soul Junction