In the 1980s, few groups blended dancefloor bounce with romantic finesse quite like R.J.’s Latest Arrival. Emerging from the vibrant Detroit music scene, the band became one of the most consistent yet underrated acts of the ‘80s R&B landscape, delivering a string of club-ready grooves and slow jams that stood tall alongside the genre’s biggest names.
Formed in 1978 by drummer and producer Rudy “R.J.” Rice (aka “The Wiz”) and his wife DeDe Leitta (vocals and guitar), the group had a minor hit with the single “Hey Crystal,” as well as an early version of “Shackles” (hold that thought for a minute). Over the early 80s, the group solidified its membership with the additions of Dean Dipierro, Craig Lane, Rudy Maldonado, Paul Munro, and singer Robin Marie Powell.
Eventually, R.J.’s Latest Arrival found their niche with danceable tracks like “Harmony” and “Hold On,” before hitting big with their 1984 breakout “Shackles (On My Feet),” a reworking of their earlier tune. That song, along with the infectious “Off the Hook (With Your Love)” and the smooth ballad “Heaven in Your Arms,” became R&B radio staples and helped propel albums like Truly Yours and Tangled in Love into the charts.
But just as the group was hitting its peak, they chose to disband in 1990, with Rice shifting his focus to production and launching Barak Records—later becoming an influential figure in Detroit hip-hop through artists like Slum Village and Dwele.
The group surprised longtime fans in 2024 by issuing its first single in three decades, with the support of Slum Village. “One Step” sounded great and brought all those good feelings back about this fun act that always brought the groove.
