Coffee

Coffee was a Chicago-based female vocal trio consisting of Dee Dee Bryant, Elaine Sims, and Gwen Hester. Active during the pivotal transition from peak disco to the synth-heavy R&B of the early 1980s, they are best remembered for their 1980 hit 'Casanova,' a disco-fied cover of the Ruby Andrews soul classic.

Their sound is a bridge between the Philly-influenced orchestral disco of the late 70s and the emerging 'boogie' and synth-pop sounds of the new decade. Recording primarily for De-Lite Records, they benefited from high-end studio production that emphasized slap bass, rhythmic guitar scratching, and early synthesizer textures. Their two studio albums, 'Slippin' and Dippin'' (1980) and 'Second Cup' (1982), represent the sophisticated end of the disco spectrum, characterized by complex three-part vocal arrangements and a polished urban aesthetic. Critically, they are viewed as a high-quality example of the Chicago soul scene's adaptability, maintaining vocal excellence while embracing the dance floor's evolving technical demands. They remain a staple for crate-diggers and disco purists who value vocal harmony over generic club loops.