Crown Heights Affair were a powerhouse band that made some of the best disco funk records in the 70's. "Dream World" is no exception, though not one of their big hits. It's super full on from start to finish, and though each element is over the top it all fits together so well...even the bomb exploding at the end works. Possibly my favorite part of this song is their use of horns. Big and precise with no timidness. "Dream World" was released on a limited Promo 12" from Mercury Records in 1978 as a precursor to the album of the same name. This 12" is backed with a mix of "Galaxy of Love" and "I'm Gonna Love You Forever".

Crown Heights Affair - Dream World

I will let Donna McGhee tell her own story:

"I have been a professional singer since 1974, my first singing group I joined after singing gospel all my life, was called "THE FATBACK BAND". Our first album was called Rasing hell, and the hit single off of that LP, was called "BUS STOP". I sang with Fatback for over three years, touring with such groups as "Chaka khan", "Frankie Beverly and Maze". "Crown Heights Affair", and "Tedddy Pendergrass". We traveled all over the world. After completing several albums with them, the last LP we recorded with the late great "Phyllis Hyman". In 1977, I signed with a company called Red Greg Records, and we worked with the great Producer Patrick Adams. We recorded several hit records at that time. UNIVERSAL ROBOT BAND was created along with BUMBLEE UNLIMITED, which lead to several hits such as, "DANCE AND SHAKE YOUR TAMBORINE", and "LOVE BUG". Most of the songs recorded were disco hits, and were played at The Paradise Gargage, and Studio 54. While recording with different groups, the company signed me with an Exclusive Recording contract, and my first solo album was created. It was called "MAKE IT LAST FOREVER", traveling from one side of the country to the other, the hit single "It ain't no big thing" was making a huge buzz. While the album was being played all over the country, and other countries such as Japan, England and France. "Love Bug" was up for a Grammy Award, and I was fortunate enough to do the Dick Clark New Years Eve show twice. After my contract was up, I signed under Obago Records, where we recorded "YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME", written by Phillip Thomas from CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIRS ..."

"You Should Have Told Me" is a rare 12" released in 1979 on the very obscure Obago Label out of NYC. With a haunting mix by Ron St. Germain (who later went to work with 80's alternative rock bands the Cure and Sonic Youth amongst others) I would consider this track to be a very early example of boogie as we came to know it. The B Side "Disco Mix" relies heavily on the trippy vocals, funky keyboard lines and syncopated groove. Donna still performs to this day and you can check out her myspace page here.

Donna McGhee - You Should Have Told Me (Disco Mix)

Trilark was the cloud city steazed vocal trio brainchild of Crown Heights Affair masterminds Ray Reid and William Anderson. Another treasure from 1982, (I know I keep harping on this year, next week promise I will be on some 1979 heat) the quite rare Trilark LP was a collection of mid tempo modern soul jams. The more accessible single "Love Never Looked Better" is a decent track but not up to par with some of the other material on the record in my opinion. My favorite joint is "Check It Out". I just picture an early 80's beach front soul porno shot with some dusted old film stock whenever I hear this one. This shit is just too smooth. Check It Out:

Trilark - Check It Out

The Brooklyn, NY based group Crown Heights Affair came along in the mid 70's and put out their first record in 1974 for RCA records. They soon moved on to join Kool and The Gang on De-Lite Records where they recorded several LPs and 12" singles. They were one of the pioneering groups in the the disco era and had a sound with a deep, soulful and funky vibe, but they also produced several cosmic disco tracks. This track is my favorite next to Dance Lady Dance and Say A Prayer For Two. Members Ray Reid and William Anderson also produced tracks for Beat Electric favorites Unlimited Touch and France Joli.

mp3: Crown Heights Affair - Dancin