Crown Heights Affair

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A good band that cut several fine funk and disco songs during the '70s, Crown Heights Affair enjoyed a regional hit with "Super Rod" in 1973. Lead vocalist Phillip Thomas, saxophonist Bert Reid, guitarist Raymond Reid, guitarist/vocalist William Anderson, trumpeter James "Ajax" Baynard, vocalist/drummer Raymond Rock, keyboardist Howie Young, and bassist/vocalist Muki Wilson were the original lineup.

They switched from RCA to Dee-Lite, and remained there until 1983. Their 1975 release, "Dreaming a Dream," was an international smash, reaching the number five position on the R&B charts and scoring with club audiences everywhere. It was their biggest hit, although their subsequent singles "Every Beat of My Heart," "Foxy Lady," and "Dancin'" all were Top 20 R&B hits. Things slowed afterwards, with "Dance Lady Dance" being their last major single in 1979.

The group's fortunes suffered through a combination of the anti-disco backlash and decline of large funk and soul bands. The Reids finally left in 1986, but Crown Heights Affair continued recording. House music maven Marshall Jefferson remixed the 1989 single "I'll Do Anything." Ray Reid also teamed with Anderson to co-produce several dance music artists, among them Unlimited Touch, France Joli, and Trilark.

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