We’re losing too many, fam. Raida was one of the best that ever did it.

Here is his DMC World Championship routine from 1995… dude is killing it with his smirk alone.

Versus Lord Finesse… all in good fun… honestly I had no idea Finesse got it in like that!

And the famous 1996 routine…

Rest In Power.

This evening the boys will fire up the system in the basement of Club APT one last time.

Thanks for the memories and the music. I’ve had such a great time at this party over the years… it’ll be hard to replace.

Yes people, it’s 85 degrees in New York City today! I blinked and Spring was gone, maybe we’ll get another taste but today sure is feeling like summer. Lennox Avenue is on fire, literally and figuratively. Things are a little more mellow downtown right now; I blame it on the a-a-alcohol like Jamie Foxx and them. Summer always brings me back, so let’s do a little reminiscing…

Here’s a little record I had lurking in my box for a while; never thought anyone cared much about it until recently when it made a few modern soul/boogie want lists. The group is the Studants, the record label is York (that’s the infamous Dr. York’s record label). The year is 1987 and the style is New Edition. The song absolutely rules, and reminds me so much of That Sound. It’s been putting a hell of a smile on my face of late, almost enough to forget about the potential for ill when you consider a group of young guys affiliated with York, who is now behind bars for over 100 counts of child molestation.

“Takes A Little Time” reminds me of The Big City during my childhood, in the 1980s – flashing lights and killer grooves; seedy vibes, but nonstop excitement. The song is full of raw desire… not for sex per se, but for fun. How awesome. Despite revealing in the 2nd verse that they’ve been around the block before, so to speak, the group’s lead-up into the hook is just perfectly innocent teenage love: “let’s go have some fun… let me be the one… takes a little time, to do our thing.” And dig the syncopated clock ticking. Unlike most Dr. York records, the backing track on this one is really strong. One of the better 80s soul records I’ve come across in a while!

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Sad news on this Sunday, I have received word that the prolific and influential hip-hop producer Tony D was killed last night in a car accident in his home state of New Jersey. I had the pleasure to meet Tony on a couple of occasions, but have spent far more time with the music he put down on wax. He will be missed. My condolences go out to his friends and family… I’ll leave the rest to Trenton’s finest, the Poor Righteous Teachers. Rest In Peace.