Hot Time, Summer In The City
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!