Many people either forgot or had no idea that R&B dance group Nu Shooz was from Portland. But the husband-wife band, fronted by Valerie Day and John Smith, has been churning out irresistibly catchy tunes in Bridgetown since 1979. Who knew Portland had so much funk? Nu Shooz is best known for their chart-topping single "I Can't Wait," a song so hauntingly upbeat that it makes "Steal My Sunshine" by Len sound like Elliott Smith. It doesn't matter if you hate new wave or synth-pop—once Nu Shooz enters your eardrums, it's a "Point of No Return." ZARA ZHI