RJ’s Latest Arrival has released the video for “One Step At A Time” featuring Slum Village. Rod Dickerson directs the band as they perform the single in a nightclub while couples dance. Slum Village’s performance is beamed in from a digital billboard somewhere in downtown Detroit. Photos of RJ’s Latest Arrival from the past and present are blended into the visual’s sharp-colored cinematography. The group moved back into the public sphere this year after their classic song “Shackles” was heard on Starz’s second season of BMF. They re-released their second album Harmony as Shackles and began to look ahead with new music. “One Step At A Time” is an essential two-step groove with an infusion of hip-hop. Their unexpected return to music after three decades has skipped tired comeback routines with the new song in favor of a smooth and modern sound.   

RJ’s Latest Arrival has returned with new music after more than three decades with the single “One Step At A Time” featuring Slum Village. The group took its former funk and R&B sound and swapped out the funk for hip-hop. “One Step At A Time” has all the polish of perfectly executed ballroom dancing and car cruising with the added texture of Slum Village’s words. DeDe Leitta still has the same effortless control over her silky vocals as her delivery in the ’80s. The single is the true definition of coming full circle because RJ Rice’s Barak Records worked with Slum Village back in the ’90s. Today they have reconnected for the next era of two classic Detroit groups.  RJ Rice and Leitta conveyed their excitement to be working artists again in a press release.

“It’s a great change to get from behind the desk, working with so many artists, to now create music for ourselves.” – RJ Rice

“I’m so excited with the new direction our music is taking, it’s fun to sing!” – DeDe Leitta

RJ’s Latest Arrival was reintroduced to the public earlier this year when their hit “Shackles” was heard on STARZ’s BMF series. Their sophomore Harmony album was also remastered and re-released under  Shackles. Listen to “One Step At A Time” and hear the rebirth of the beloved group as they reclaim ownership of their creativity. 

Detroit R&B/funk group RJ’s Latest Arrival has released a remastered version of their sophomore album Harmony under the title Shackles. “Shackles” the title track, was recently featured in the second season third episode of STARZ’s BMF series. The drama centers around the Flenory brothers’ narcotics empire started in Detroit during the ’80s and so far the soundtrack has authentically presented the music from that time period. “Shackles” was loved locally and became a Top Ten hit later sampled in Nas’ “You Owe Me.” RJ’s Latest Arrival was known for its blend of funk, R&B and New Wave sounds that made “Shackles” a dancefloor necessity. The group had regional success with their 1978 single “Crystal” but it was “Shackles” in 1984 that introduced them to a national audience. They would later have more acclaim with “Heaven In Your Arms” and 17 charted R&B singles. 

Group leader Ralph “RJ” Rice also produced songs for The Barkays, The Pet Shop Boys, singer-songwriter Poe, Color Me Badd, Kurupt and Ice Cube. When RJ’s Latest Arrival disbanded in 1990 Rice founded Barak Records. The label was a recording lab for several Detroit hip-hop artists including J.Dilla, Slum Village, Phat Kat, Guilty Simpson and Marv One. Rice’s son, Young RJ was mentored by Dilla and is a member of Slum Village. 

The Shackles remaster is available via  Rice’s Neastra Music.