Raw Silk: Pioneers of New York's Underground Disco & Soul

Raw Silk is an American vocal group that emerged from the vibrant New York City dance music scene of the early 1980s. The ensemble is best known for their enduring club classic "Do It to the Music," a track that became a defining anthem of the post-disco and boogie era.

Early career

The group formed in 1981, a creative collaboration between vocalists Sybil Thomas and Annette Guest with songwriter and producer Ron Dean Miller. Their sound was cultivated in the heart of Manhattan, blending lush soul harmonies with the electronic rhythms that were revolutionizing dance floors. Their first recordings were released on the independent West End Records, a label instrumental in shaping the sound of underground New York dance music.

Breakthrough

Raw Silk's major breakthrough arrived in 1982 with the release of their single "Do It to the Music." The song, produced by Miller on West End Records, became an instant sensation in clubs across the United States and Europe. While it did not achieve mainstream pop chart dominance, its impact was profound, solidifying its status as a platinum-selling 12-inch single and a staple of DJ sets for decades.

Key tracks

Do It to the Music — This 1982 release is the group's signature track, a boogie masterpiece celebrated for its hypnotic bassline and captivating vocal performance.

Just in Time — Featured on their 1983 album, this track showcases their smoother, jazz-inflected side and received significant radio play on urban contemporary stations.

Forever — A deep cut from their debut LP that exemplifies the sophisticated, synth-driven production that defined their early work.

Think About It — Another strong single from their self-titled album that maintained their presence on dance charts and in club rotations.

Following their initial success, Raw Silk released their self-titled debut album in 1983, which compiled their early singles and expanded their repertoire. The group continued to perform and record sporadically, with their music experiencing a major revival in the 1990s and 2000s as a foundational sample source for hip-hop and house producers. Their work has been licensed and remixed extensively, introducing their sound to new generations of dance music enthusiasts.

Fans of Raw Silk's blend of soulful vocals and electronic dance rhythms should also explore the work of similar artists from the same era and scene. Patrice Rushen shares a mastery of jazz-inflected funk and club-ready instrumentation. Sharon Redd was another powerhouse vocalist on the West End label known for her commanding disco and boogie anthems. D Train delivered a similar mix of gospel-tinged soul vocals over pioneering early-80s electronic production. Dazz Band offers a parallel funk and boogie sound from the same period, though with a more band-oriented approach.

The music of Raw Silk maintains a steady rotation on dedicated classic dance music and boogie radio stations, particularly those focusing on 1980s R&B and underground club culture. Online radio streams specializing in rare groove and classic soul frequently feature their catalog, ensuring their pioneering sound remains accessible to purists and new listeners alike.

Listeners can discover the timeless sound of Raw Silk on radio stations featured here on onairium.com, where their influential tracks are regularly programmed alongside other defining artists of the classic dance music era.