TKA


Main image

Tony Ortiz (aka O), Louis Ramon Sharpe (aka Kayel or K7), Ralph Cruz (aka Aby), Angel Vasquez (aka Angel Love), George LaMond (real name: George Garcia) and Ray Rivera (2) (aka Spider).

TKA stands for Tony, Kayel and Aby (later, Angel).

In early 1985, Latino vocalist Louis Sharpe (aka Kayel) submitted a rap demo to producer Joey Gardner at Tommy Boy Music. Gardner rejected it, but agreed to hear Kayel –along with friends Tony, Aby, and Spider– sing Kayel’s ballad [m=70651] over rap instrumentals at a birthday party in an East Harlem church basement. Gardner was impressed, and also happened to meet The Latin Rascals –members Tony Moran and Albert Cabrera– at the same party.
Envisioning a possible Latin disco version of Planet Patrol, Gardner brought all six musicians into the studio to record a rough demo of [m=70651], and encouraged the group to generate a buzz by playing various free shows in the summer of 1985. Soon after, they were signed to Tommy Boy, and released [m=70650] as their first single. One month later, Spider was voted out of the group. For a short time, female singer India was a member of the group, and at some point, Aby departed and was replaced by Angel Vasquez.

Under pressure from Warner Brothers to record only relatively accessible pop songs, and unsure of what direction to take as a group, TKA decided to split up in late 1991, but continue performing until October 1992. Kayel began recording as K7, Tony created the artist management and production company TPR Productions, and Vasquez cofounded R’n’B trio Goodfellaz, which released an album in 1997 called [m=79539].

Following a reunion concert in 2000, TKA reformed and released an album of new material in 2001, Forever. In 2003, Angel was replaced by George LaMond, and the trio of Tony, Kayel and LaMond made themselves available to tour, performing TKA and George LaMond hits, under the name TKG. In 2005, former member Ralph Cruz, under the name Aby, released an album of new versions of TKA hits.

ALBUMS


APPEARANCES +


Willie Valentin Presents Prestige
These Three Words
1997
Tony Moran
Same Sun, Same Sky
1991, ,
Freestyle
Cisco Kid
Come Dub My Love / Stupid Dub (Unreleased)
1987
Rock Squad
Facts Of Life
1985, ,
Electro
Various
The Ultimate Freestyle Mix Vol. 4
CD, Mixed, NYC Records (2)
Various
JAY ALAMS MUSIC FREESTYLE VOLUME ONE
2022, CD, Comp, Manny Man Entertainment
Various
DMC - Producer Mixes - Shep Pettibone (Monsterjam Vol.1)
2021, CDr, Comp, P/Mixed, DMC, DMC
Various
Kings & Queens Of Freestyle The Old School
2017, File, WAV, Mixed, Bolivia Old Skool, ,
Freestyle
Various
Freestyle Electro Beats Number 1
2015, 15xFile, MP3, Comp, Promo, 320, Ultimix Digital Crate
Todd Terry
Freestyle Forever! Vol. Two
2015, 15xFile, ALAC, Comp, In House Records, ,
Electro/Freestyle
DJ Jay Styles
Freestyle Classics
2013, CDr, Comp, Mixed, Not On Label
Various
CPR's Clubhouse - Freestyle Madness "The Elite"
2012, CDr, Comp, CPR's Clubhouse
Various
The Legends Of Freestyle
2008, CD, Comp, P/Mixed, MMR Productions NYC Recordings, ,
Freestyle
DJ Shadow
The 4-Track Era Collection (1990-1992)
2008, ,
Instrumental/Interview/Cut-up/DJ
DJ Shadow
The 4-Track Era (Volume 2: Best Of The Remixes And Megamixes (1990-1992))
2007, CD, Comp, Ltd, P/Mixed, Promo, Reconstruction Productions
Various
Forever Freestyle
2007, CD, Comp, Razor & Tie, MusicSpace.com, ,
Freestyle/Synth-pop/Electro/Hip-House
Various
Energia Na Véia Vol. 6
2007, CD, Comp, Fieldzz, Energia 97 FM, ,
House/Euro House
Various
OxyDance 90's Vol.3
2007, CD, Comp, Fieldzz, ,
House/Disco/Freestyle/Synth-pop
Various
Fierce Freestyle Classics (The Collection)
2006, 3xCD, Album, Comp, Mixed + Box, UBL Recordings
Various
Forever Freestyle (Disc One)
2006, CD, Comp, Razor & Tie, ,
Freestyle/Electro
Various
The Tommy Boy Story Vol. 01
2006, 2x12", Comp, RE, Tommy Boy, Rhino Records (2), ,
Electro
Various
The Tommy Boy Story Vol. 01
2006, ,
Electro
Various
The Tommy Boy Story Vol. 01
2006, ,
Breakbeat/Electro/Synth-pop/Freestyle/Conscious/House/Contemporary R&B
Tim Spinnin' Schommer*
Bringin' The Freestyle II
2005, CD, Mixed, Not On Label
DJ Destiny
Old School Freestyle Flashbacks
2004, CDr, Mixed, Ol' Skool Records, ,
Freestyle
Various
Essential 80's (Old.Skool.Electro)
2003, 2xCD, Comp, Mixed, Warner Strategic Marketing Benelux, ,
Electro/Synth-pop
Various
The Best Of Freestyle Megamix Volume 3
2003, CD, Comp, Mixed + CD, Comp, What If Productions, ,
Freestyle/House/Electro/Promotional
Various
Oxydance
2003, CD, Comp, Total Music, Fieldzz, ,
House/Synth-pop/Disco
Various
Power 96 Presents Freestyle Flashback
2003, CD, Comp, Mixed, Summa Entertainment, Inc., ,
Freestyle
Various
Box Flash House
2002, Box + 4xCD, Comp, RE, Fieldzz, Universal Music, ,
House/Euro House
Various
The Definitive Hip Hop Collection
2002, CD, Comp, Warner Strategic Marketing,
Bad Boy Joe
The Best Of Freestyle Megamix - The Most Incredible Freestyle Mix Ever
2001, CD, P/Mixed, What If Productions, ,
Freestyle
Various
Promo Only Rhythm Club: December 01
2001, CD, Comp, Promo, Promo Only, ,
Progressive House/Freestyle/Bass Music/RnB/Swing/Breaks
Various
New York Freestyle
2001, CD, Comp, Bud Music
Various
S.I.N. Salute To America Pop / Rhythm / Dance Freedom Edition - New Music Program #92
2001, CD, Comp, Promo, S.I.N., ,
Contemporary R&B/Dance-pop/Euro House/House
Various
S.I.N. Salute To America Dance / Rhythm Edition New Music Program #80
2001, CD, Comp, Promo, S.I.N., ,
Dance-pop
Various
Salute To America Rhythm/Dance/Pop Edition New Music Program #82
2001, CD, Comp, Promo, S.I.N. Records (3)
Various
Promo Only Rhythm Radio: October 2001
2001, CD, Comp, Promo, Promo Only, ,
Hi NRG/Freestyle/House/RnB/Swing/Hip Hop/Breakbeat
Various
Dance Mix NYC
2001, CD, Comp, Mixed, Tommy Boy Silver Label, ,
House
Various
The Freestyle Remix-Hits
2001, CD, Comp, Bud Music
Various
Clubbers - 003 "The Spring Collection"
2001
Various
Freestyle Explosion Volume 6
2000, CD, Comp, Thump Records, ,
Freestyle/Electro
Various
Fierce Freestyle Classics (The Collection)
2000, CD, Album, Comp, Mixed, UBL Recordings
Various
DMA Freestyle Flava Vol. 3
2000, CD, Comp, Ltd, Fusebox Records
Various
Classic Freestyle
1999, CD, Comp, Mixed, ZYX Music, ,
Freestyle
Various
Tommy Boy Greatest Beats
1999
Various
A Taste Of Tommy Boy
1998, CD, Comp, Promo, Tommy Boy
Various
Freestyle's Greatest Groups (1 & 2)
1998, CD, Comp, RE, Micmac Records, Inc.
Various
Freestyle Explosion Box Set Volume 1-5
1998, 5xCD, Comp + Box, Thump Records, ,
Freestyle
Various
Greatest Beats - Volume 4
1998, CD, Comp, Enh, Tommy Boy, MTM (3), ,
Electro/Rhythm & Blues/Synth-pop/Freestyle
Various
Greatest Beats - Volume 4
1998, ,
Electro
Various
Greatest Beats - Volume 3
1998, ,
Electro/Downtempo
Various
Tommy Boy's Greatest Beats 1981 - 1996
1998, ,
Pop Rap/Disco/RnB/Swing/Electro/Downtempo/Synth-pop
Various
Kings Of Freestyle 2
1998
Various
Freestyle Explosion Volume 1
1998, ,
Freestyle
Various
Flash House 2
1997, CD, Comp, Fieldzz
Various
The Best Freestyle Album In The Universe Vol. 3
1997, CD, Comp, Essex Entertainment, Inc.
Various
The Best Freestyle Album In The Universe Vol. 1
1997, CD, Comp, Essex Entertainment, Inc., ,
Freestyle
Various
Freestyle Frenzy, Vol. 3
1997, CD, Comp, GRW Recordings
Various
Kings Of Freestyle
1997, CD, Comp, Micmac Records, Inc.
Various
Pump Up The House / Underground Style New York - Miami - Chicago
1997, CD, Comp, Boom Boom Productions
Various
Freestyle Frenzy, Vol. 2
1997, ,
Freestyle
Various
Shut Up & Dance, Vol. 2: The Best of Freestyle
1997
Various
Freestyle's Greatest Collection
1997
Various
This Is Freestyle 3
1996, CD, Comp, Quality Music (2), Dino Kids Music & Video
Various
Freestyle's Greatest Groups 2
1996, CD, Comp, Micmac Records, Inc., ,
Freestyle/Electro
Various
The Box Presents Big Ones Of Dance Volume 1
1996, CD, Mixed, Polygram Special Markets
Various
Freestyle's Greatest Hits Volume 4
1996, CD, Comp, SPG Music, ,
Freestyle
Various
S.I.N. Music Magazine Presents KTU The Beat Of New York
1996, CD, Comp, Promo, S.I.N., ,
House/RnB/Swing/Vocal/Contemporary R&B/Freestyle/Euro House
Various
X-Mix Dance Series 34
1996
Various
Freestyle Latin Dance Hits - Volume One
1995, CD, Comp, Cold Front, ,
Freestyle/Electro
Hot Mix Productions
Retromix Show #38 (95)
1995, CD, Mixed, Hot Mix Productions, Radio Express, ,
Funk/Disco/Freestyle/New Wave/New Jack Swing
Various
Freestyle's Greatest Groups
1995, CD, Comp, Micmac Records, Inc., ,
Freestyle
Various
Freestyle Greatest Beats: The Complete Collection - Volume 1
1994, ,
Freestyle/Dance-pop/Electro House
Various
Freestyle Greatest Beats: The Complete Collection - Volume 6
1994
Various
Freestyle Greatest Beats: The Complete Collection - Volume 2
1994, ,
Freestyle/Electro House/Dance-pop
Various
Freestyle Greatest Beats: The Complete Collection - Volume 4
1994, ,
Freestyle/House/Electro/Latin
Various
Freestyle Greatest Beats: The Complete Collection - Volume 5
1994, ,
Freestyle/House/Electro/Latin
Various
Freestyle Greatest Beats: The Complete Collection - Volume 7
1994, ,
Freestyle/House/Electro/Latin
Various
Freestyle Greatest Beats: The Complete Collection - Volume 3
1994, ,
Freestyle/Dance-pop/Electro House
Various
Chart Beat - A Tommy Boy Dance Compilation
1993, CD, Comp, Tommy Boy, 波麗佳音
Various
So... Boom!
1992, Cass, Comp, Promo, Smplr, SR,, Tommy Boy, ,
House/Ragga HipHop/Electro/Dub/Deep House/Conscious
Various
Mixx-it 58
1992, 12", Promo, Mixx-it
Various
Sony Music Sampler
1992, CD, Comp, Promo, Smplr, Sony Music, Columbia, Epic
Hot Mix Productions
Hot Mix Show #15 (92)
1992, CD, Mixed, Hot Mix Productions, ABC Radio Networks, ,
Pop Rap/New Jack Swing/Dance-pop/House/Euro House/Synth-pop/Freestyle/Bass Music/Disco/Contemporary R&B
Various
Funkymix 11
1992
Various
Act Like You Know!
1991, Cass, Comp, Promo, Dol, Tommy Boy, ,
House/Freestyle/Hip Hop
Hot Mix Productions
Hot Mix Radio 5
1991, 4xCD, Album, Mixed, ABC Radio Networks, Hot Mix Productions, ,
Vocal/Synth-pop/Techno/Pop Rock/RnB/Swing
Various
Rockamerica Dance October 1991
1991, VHS, NTSC, Rockamerica, ,
Dance-pop
Various
Mo' Butter
1991, VHS, Comp, Promo, Tommy Boy Music, Inc.,
Various
Caiobá FM 102.3 Curitiba - Você Liga E É Só Sucesso
1991, LP, Comp, Stiletto
Various
94D Dance Plus
1991, ,
Euro House/Hip Hop/Dub Techno/Alternative Rock/Pop Rock/Synth-pop
Various
Turn Up The Bass 6
1991, ,
House/Techno/Hip-House/Acid House/Hip Hop
Various
Hot Tracks 10-3
1991
Ben Liebrand
Grandmix 90
1991, ,
New Jack Swing/House/Pop Rap/Reggae-Pop/RnB/Swing/Europop/Deep House/Euro House/Hip-House/Downtempo/Synth-pop/Ballad
Various
Issue 5
1990, 2x12", Promo, Bro, Powerhouse Records, ,
House/Synth-pop
Various
107 FM Radioativa
1990, LP, Comp, Stiletto
Various
Issue 3
1990, 2x12", Promo, Powerhouse Records
Various
90B Urban
1990, VHS, Comp, Promo, NTSC, Telegenics, ,
RnB/Swing/Rhythm & Blues/Disco/Contemporary R&B
Various
CBS/SONY Hot Tracks 1990 Vol.3
1990, CD, Comp, Promo, CBS/Sony, ,
Pop Rock/Europop/Hard Rock/Ballad/Vocal
Various
WEA Promotional Compact Disc - Volume 60 - August 1990
1990, CD, Comp, Promo, WEA
Various
Promo 3
1990, 12", Promo, Stiletto
Various
Hitmakers Top 40 CD Sampler Volume 42 September 14, 1990
1990, CD, Promo, Smplr, Hitmakers,
Various
Hitmakers Top 40 CD Sampler Volume 39 July 13, 1990
1990, CD, Promo, Smplr, Hitmakers
Hot Mix Productions
Show #35 (1990)
1990, CDr, Mixed, Transcription, Hot Mix Productions, ABC Radio Networks, ,
New Jack Swing/Freestyle/Synth-pop/House/Euro House/Pop Rap/RnB/Swing
Various
The 1990 Tommy Boy
1990
Various
Stiletto Dance
1990, ,
Hip-House/Electro/House/Freestyle
Various
Street Tracks Volume 1
1990, ,
House/Pop Rap/New Jack Swing/Hip-House/Freestyle
Various
Tune Up Next 40 29
1990, ,
Freestyle/Synth-pop/Alternative Rock/Hip Hop/New Beat
Various
Series 8, Issue 5
1989, 2x12", Comp, Promo, Hot Tracks, ,
Italo-Disco/Pop Rock/Synth-pop/Disco
Various
Mixx-it 27
1989, 12", Promo, Rem, Mixx-it
Various
Hot Mix #2
1989, CD, Mixed, Street DJ Promotions
Various
Da Inner Sound Y'All
1989, Cass, Comp, Promo, Tommy Boy, ,
Conscious/Pop Rap
Various
Disco & Dance Hits
1989, CD, Comp, CBS/Sony, ,
Disco/Funk/Soul/Synth-pop
Various
Dance! Dance! Dance! - Disco & Soul
1989, CD, Comp, CBS/Sony
Various
Promo 4
1989, LP, Comp, Promo, Stiletto, ,
House/Hip Hop
Various
CBS/Sony Hot Tracks April.May '89
1989, CD, Comp, Promo, CBS/Sony
Various
Lean On Me - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
1989, ,
Pop Rock/Soundtrack
Various
The DJ's Battle
1989, ,
Disco/House/Hip Hop/Freestyle/Bass Music
Various
Dance Club Beat
1989
Various
Ultimix 29
1989
Various
The Dopest Shit
1988, Cass, Comp, Promo, Smplr, Select Records, Tommy Boy, Sleeping Bag Records, Fresh Records
Various
Hitmakers Top 40 CD Sampler January, 1988
1988, CD, Comp, Promo, Hitmakers, ,
Freestyle
Various
CBS/Sony Hot Tracks May 1988
1988, CD, Comp, Promo, Pap, CBS/Sony
Various
12" Black אוסף להיטי ריקודים בגירסאות מיוחדות
1987, LP, Maxi, Comp, Arton Records, ,
Dance-pop/Funk/Soul
Various
Holiday Ear Conditioning
1987, Cass, Comp, Promo, Tommy Boy
Various
Hot Power Mixes
1987
Various
WEA Disco Club No. 2
1986, LP, Comp, Promo, WEA, ,
Synth-pop/Disco/Funk
Various
Hot Club
1986, LP, Comp, Promo, Casablanca, Tommy Boy, Mercury
Various
Pop Lock Dance
1986, LP, Comp, Warner Bros. Records
Various
Modern Girls (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1986, ,
Soundtrack/New Wave/Synth-pop/Freestyle
Various
Clubtrax 16
12", Promo, Tra, Clubtrax, ,
Freestyle/House/RnB/Swing
Various
Tune Up - Top 40: 27
CD, Comp, Promo, The Network Forty, ,
Freestyle/Pop Rap/Pop Rock/Synth-pop/Ballad
Various
Fat Cassette
Cass, Comp, Promo, Tommy Boy, ,
House/Conscious
DJ 007
Freestyle Classics - I ♥ Freestyle
CDr, Comp, Mixed, Not On Label
Various
Always And Forever Issue 3: Freestyle Classics
12", Comp, Strictly Hits Vinyl Service
Various
Dance Trax
3xLP, Comp, Ronco Teleproducts, MCA Records, Warner Bros. Records, Arista, ,
Alternative Rock/Disco/Funk/Italo-Disco/Pop Rock/Synth-pop/Soundtrack
Various
Fat Video 2
VHS, Advance, NTSC, Tommy Boy, ,
Hip Hop/Techno/House/New Jack Swing/Promotional/Freestyle
DJ Amo
Puerto Rican Parade Anthems Part 2
CDr, Comp, Mixtape, Promo, Not On Label
Various
The Freestyle Video Wave
DVD, Comp, Promo, HD, The New Video Wave
various
The Beat Club II
LP, Album, Comp, Not On Label
DJ El Nino
Freestyle Klassics Vol. 1
CDr, Mixtape, Not On Label (DJ El Nino Self-released), ,
Freestyle
Various
Freestyle Super Mix, Volume 1 - 'Dedicated To Mixmaster, Jim Evans'
CD, Mixtape, Not On Label, ,
Freestyle
Various
GoldDisc 1833
CD, Comp, Promo, TM Century,
Various
New York Dance
12", Comp, Five Record, ,
Hip Hop/Acid House
Julian Isfan
Chicago Old School Classics Mix
CDr, Mixed, Not On Label
Various
The Ultimix Medley Collection Volume 4
DJ Shadow
4-Track Remixes
2008, 12", Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label (DJ Shadow)
Various
House Flash Vol. 1
2002, CD, Comp, Unofficial, Brasmusic Records
Various
Miami Flash Vol. 1
1997, CD, Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label, ,
Freestyle/Electro
Various
Miami Flash Vol. 2
1997, CD, Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label
Various
Flash Back Dance Vol. II
1996, CD, Comp, Unofficial, Brasmusic Records
Various
House Classics Vol. I
1996, ,
Euro House/House/Synth-pop
Various
Miami Rio Funk Melody
1995, LP, Comp, Unofficial, Adventure Record's
Various
Melody 1
1995, 12", Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label
Various
Untitled
1994, LP, Comp, Unofficial, In Your Face Records (5)
Various
Flash Dance 6
1994, LP, Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label, ,
House/Synth-pop/Euro-Disco
Bobby D
Edit Crazy #4
1992, CD, Mixed, Promo, Unofficial, Not On Label, ,
House/Techno/Hip-House/Freestyle
Various
In The Remix Vol. 6
1992, 12", Comp, Unofficial, In The Remix
Various
Hot Mix #13
1992, CD, Comp, Mixed, Promo, Unofficial, Street DJ Promotions
Tee-Kay-A*
Louder Than Love / Is It Love
1991, 12", Unofficial, Anais Records
Bobby D
Edit Crazy #2
1991, CD, Mixed, Promo, Unofficial, Not On Label, ,
House/Hip-House/Euro House/Freestyle/Techno
Various
Disco D.J. King Music Box «28»
1991, Cass, Comp, Unofficial, King Recording, ,
Lambada/House/Synth-pop/Disco/Dance-pop/Hi NRG/Classic Rock
Various
The Gritters
1990, LP, Comp, M/Print, Unofficial, Not On Label
Various
Hot Mix #1
1988, CD, Comp, Mixed, Promo, Unofficial, Street DJ Promotions, ,
House/Hip-House/Freestyle
Various
Mega Mix / Mega Italo Mix
1987, 12", Mixed, Unofficial, W/Lbl, Disco D'Azzurro Records
Various
Summer Mix
1987, 12", Mixed, Unofficial, Disco Night Records, ,
Disco
Various
Techno Beat
1987, Cass, Comp, Unofficial, C-9, Ego Record
Unknown Artist
Mariamix
12", Unofficial, Not On Label, ,
Freestyle/Electro
Various
5 Special
LP, Comp, Unofficial, Five Special
Various
The KTU Clubhouse Vol. 2
CD, Comp, Unofficial, Prelude Records (2), ,
Euro House/House
Everything But The Girl / Stephanie Mills / TKA
Missing / Rush On Me / Maria
12", Promo, Unofficial, Advanced Promotional Copy
Various
Classics Volume 1, Music From The Old School
CD, Comp, Mixed, Unofficial, Street DJ Promotions
Various
Super Disco 34
Cass, Comp, Unofficial, Hellton
Various
Promo 1
LP, Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label
Various
Miami Hits 1
LP, Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label
Various
Flash House Vol.1
CD, Comp, Unofficial, MA Fonográfica, ,
Euro House/House/Italo House/Dance-pop/New Jack Swing/Freestyle/Hip-House/EBM
Various
Flash House Company 3
CD, Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label
Various
Elbo's Disco 51
Cass, Comp, Unofficial, Elbo
Various
Flash House - O Melhor Dos Anos 90 - Volume 01
CD, Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label, ,
Electro/House/Hip Hop
Various
New York Dance
LP, Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label
DJ Impact
Freestyle Flashback 7 Slow Jam Edition
CDr, Comp, Mixtape, Promo, Unofficial, Not On Label,
Smooth Denali
Freestyle Forever Megamix Vol. One
CDr, Comp, Mixed, Mixtape, Unofficial, Not On Label
Various
House Corporation
LP, Unofficial, Not On Label
Various
Blue House
LP, Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label
Various
Freestyle The Ultimate Collection Vol. 13
CDr, Comp, Unofficial, Ti:Me Musique, ,
Freestyle/Synth-pop
Various
Flashbacks Volume Two