One of the funkiest and most danceable bands to emerge from NYC in the 1970s, Crown Heights Affair became a staple of the disco, funk, and R&B scenes with their high-energy horn sections, pulsating rhythms, and a sound tailor-made for dancefloors around the world.
Formed in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, the group originally began as Ben Iverson and the Nue Dey Express before transitioning into Crown Heights Affair, signing with RCA Records in the early ’70s. Their self-titled debut Crown Heights Affair (1974) introduced audiences to their unique blend of soul and funk, but it was their move to De-Lite Records—also home to Kool & the Gang—that led to their biggest successes.
Their breakout came with 1975’s Dreaming a Dream, featuring the chart-topping club hit of the same name. With its driving bassline and tight horn arrangements, the song became a disco classic and established CHA as international dancefloor favorites. The follow-up albums Do It Your Way (1976), Dream World (1978), Dance Lady Dance (1979) and Sure Shot (19800 kept the momentum going, yielding underground hits like “Foxy Lady,” “You Gave Me Love,” and “Dancin’.”
Crown Heights Affair became known not only for their own records but also for their work behind the scenes. The group produced and arranged for other artists such as France Joli, Amii Stewart and Enchantment, further influencing the disco-funk sound of the era.
As the disco era waned in the U.S., the group found continued success overseas before eventually disbanding in the mid-’80s. Though never household names stateside, Crown Heights Affair left behind a legacy of feel-good funk, high-quality musicianship, and timeless dance grooves that remain DJ favorites to this day.
