New York Port Authority

Deriving its moniker from the nation's largest bus depot, the little-known funk/soul/disco outfit New York Port Authority (NYPA) operated in New York City throughout the closing years of the 1970s. The six-piece ensemble secured a recording contract in 1977 with Invictus, the imprint operated by Holland-Dozier-Holland, at a time when its roster comprised singer/bassist Reginald A. Brown, guitarist Melvin Miller Jr., trumpeter/percussionist Rodney J. Brown, keyboardist/trombonist Stafford M. Floyd, alto saxophonist John O. Hargrove, and drummer Monwell E. Lowndes. Invictus issued the group's first album that year, the Brian Holland-produced Three Thousand Miles from Home, which featured the single "I Don't Want to Work Today." The release failed to attract buyers, prompting NYPA to disband in 1978 before completing any follow-up material.