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Athens Of The North
Browse the latest digital releases on Athens Of The North
Played by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul
Review: Here's something of a surprise from the normally funk and soul-centric Athens of the North label: a "heavy salsa" digital 7" featuring two killer cuts from contemporary outfit Grupo Magnetico. It's a taster for their forthcoming debut album; if these two straight-to-tape cuts are anything to go by, that set will be well worth picking up. Both tracks sound like they could have been recorded by Colombian musicians in New York during the heyday of Boogaloo, with A-side "Vampiras" - a typically undulating salsa groove which is enlivened by group male vocals and heavy horns - just edging out the gentler but punchier "Hermanos Latinos" in the "standout" stakes.
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ADN 001
13 Oct 17
International
13 Oct 17
International
Review: Athens of the North founder Euan Fryer has described Willie Dale's "Let Your Light Shine" as "one of the best discoveries in the last 15 years". Only five copies of the original 7" single have surfaced to date, with the most recent changing hands for eye-watering sums of money. You can see why Fryer was so excited by "Let Your Light Shine": while rooted in both funk and soul, the track also draws heavily on psychedelic rock and the fuzzy, funk-rock fusion brilliance of Sly Stone. Original B-side "Somebody Help Me" is an altogether more laidback affair, with Dale offering impassioned and melancholic lyrics over a psychedelic era take on old rhythm & blues ballads.
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ATH 042
30 Jun 17
Soul
30 Jun 17
Soul
Review: If this fine 7" is anything to go by, the crate digging and detective skills of Athens of the North founder Euan Fryer are as sharp as ever. The two tracks featured here originally appeared on a private press single that currently changes hands for large sums online. Fryer manager to track down the original writer/producer, Chicago-based George Riviera, who not only have his blessing to the reissue, but also sent over the master tapes. Stylistically, A-side "The Time is Right" sits somewhere between Latin soul, jazz-funk and sumptuous downtempo disco, with blue-eyed soul vocals and subtle vibraphone solos rising above superb had percussion. Fipside "Feelin' Funky" is a more up-tempo affair: an undulating chunk of jazz-funk/disco fusion laden with neat musical touches.
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ATH 045
30 Jun 17
Soul
30 Jun 17
Soul
Review: Stone cold classic from 1977. Zebra's self-released (and only) single has had an interesting trip in the last 15 years. First chanced upon by Ian Wright, then a hot target on the collector's merry-go-round, then a big hit for Jazzman and now, 10 years later, a potential smasher for Jazzman alumni Fryer and his consistently ace AOTN imprint. In case you don't know it, "Simple Song" is a slapping, frenzied funk groove while "I Forgot To Say" plays consummate counterpoint with a blissful honeyed ballad. It's worth jumping on this while you can...
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ATH 047
16 Jun 17
Funk
16 Jun 17
Funk
Review: A regular triple-figure fetch on the auction sites, it was only a matter of time before Henry Thomas & Rise's beautiful 80s soul doublet experienced the strong-armed justice of Fryer. Not just reissued but sourced and tracked down - this is just the start of what will hopefully be a whole load of criminally slept on and unreleased soul from Henry and his troupe. "My Dreams Are Clouded" is a verified club banger with its FM synth ripples and low-down bass bumps while "Don't Wait Too Long" is the ultimate come home record. Slinky, swooning and soaked in raw dollops of emotion - Henry Thomas is, once again, on the rise.
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ATH 046
26 May 17
Disco/Nu-Disco
26 May 17
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Little is known about Friction Band's hyper-rare 45" besides the fact it's a brilliant example of outsider, slightly experimental style of modern soul, it's passed hands for strong triple figures in recent years and it's just been injected with a whole new lease of life by Fryer. "Watchin' You" is a footloose boogie jam with unabashed use of freeform keys while "To The Sky" flips for a softer, more sentimental soul affair that's fringed by just the right amount of dreamy cosmicity. Another precision find by AOTN.
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ATH 044
31 Mar 17
Disco/Nu-Disco
31 Mar 17
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: YAM WHO?
Review: The Athens Of The North label always unearths impressively rare vintage audio finds. Here is no different with the US trio, JOB (James Davis, Ollie Carbin and Billy Bruner) caught live at the height of their powers on Saturday, August 20th, 1977. Having formed after their graduation that same year, this band were so funky that they were quickly offered a 'house band' stint at North Tulsa's most popular after hours spot, The Point After. Whilst they played there many greats came to see them in action. One listen to the blisteringly authentic funk on here and you'll understand why.
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AOTNLP 011
24 Mar 17
Funk
24 Mar 17
Funk
Review: or their latest dive into the depths of funk history, Athens of the North travels back to 1978 and the debut of John Hawes and Velma Bunch's obscure Hard Drivers project. The record initially appeared on Hawes' own short-lived imprint, and his since become a sought after 7" amongst serious collectors. "Since I Was A Little Girl" is a disco-era funk gem, with guest singer Vivian Lee providing a brilliantly confident vocal to compliment Hawes and Bunch's driving, horn-heavy backing track. You'll then find original B-side "Straight Talk", a touching torch song full of harmony backing vocals, impassioned builds, and lyrics capable of melting even the stoniest of hearts.
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ATH 040
03 Mar 17
Disco/Nu-Disco
03 Mar 17
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Original pressings have been previously spotted passing hands for well over L1000: Big Apple Band's 1976 deep funk classic has been rarer than hen's teeth for most of its 41 year life. Its sought-after status accelerated by Keb Darge for last 15 or so years - that and the fact it's an out-and-out soul-stirring, honey-vocalled, low and slow funk burner - AOTN have finally unleashed it in it full length for all of us. And we should all be eternally grateful.
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AOTN 12003
10 Feb 17
Disco/Nu-Disco
10 Feb 17
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul
Review: One of 2016's finest funk stories was, without question, when AOTN suddenly dropped this incredible unreleased album by criminally slept-on Jacksonville troupe Fruit. A stunning piece of work, even by Fryer's standards it was a coup-de-grace. Now two of the album's finest, funkiest, sweatiest jams are available on limited 45. Instant floor burners, just like the rest of the album, before the tracks are over you'll feel you and your floor have known them forever.
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AOTN 42
03 Feb 17
Funk
03 Feb 17
Funk
Played by: Kenneth Bager // Musicfordreams
Review: Massive boogie joint from 1982, Frazelle's "Today Is The Day" packs the same punch it did 35 years ago; stomping beats, salubrious guitars, widescreen production and gutsy vocals from Ken Frazelle himself. Powerful in the lyrical, technical and party dynamics this is a huge dancefloor record... This reissue is long overdue. You know what to do.
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ATH 041
03 Feb 17
Disco/Nu-Disco
03 Feb 17
Disco/Nu-Disco
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ATH 039
25 Nov 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
25 Nov 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul
Review: Penny Goodwin's story is a fascinating one - she began singing in church with Al Jarreau. She then evolved from performing in mob owned clubs before graduating to clubs in Chicago and Caesar's Palace in Vegas. Her chief legacy however is her one album, Portrait Of A Gemini. Released in 1974, the LP features her own compositions mixed with covers by the likes of Marvin Gaye and Gill Scott Heron whilst featuring strings by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and jazz guitar legend Phil Upchurch. Dubbed 'Milwaukee's unsung queen of jazz' we can know all get to hear her music again thanks to this reissue.
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AOTNCD 008
11 Nov 16
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
11 Nov 16
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
Review: Fruit's delicious disco flavours keep blossoming. It started with an unearthed and unreleased album that finally saw the light of day after almost 40 years this spring. Now on this one, we return to their only big single of the time (and most well known) "If You Feel It Say Yeah" but with a previously unreleased 12" that's been extended in all the right places. The evergreen B-side "Say It" plays the perfect foil with its ballroom disco soul dynamic. Apparently there's another unearthed single to come too. Tasty.
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ATH 12002
30 Sep 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
30 Sep 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Say what you like about Athens of The North, but there's no denying that label head honcho Euan Fryer has got some serious crate-digging skills. Here, he's unearthed, licensed and reissued another little-known gem, the Chris Spraggins' produced "Madness" by Strange. It was originally released on the short-lived Cleveland Unlimited Records label back in 1978, and sits somewhere between blue-eyed soul, early boogie (check the spacey synthesizer sounds dotted throughout), and rock-tinged disco-funk. It also contains some killer piano solos, which only enhance the track's energy. "You're So In Love", in contrast, is a soft-focus, slow-dance affair, with a female vocal and fluttering flutes evoking images of tear-eyed embraces on the dancefloor.
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ATH 034
23 Sep 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
23 Sep 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Fizzy boogie from Minneapolis circa 1982; Nobody cut through with a raw, energetic sound and countered with soothing, evocative soul that shimmers with their gospel roots. "I Saw You" sits somewhere between Prince and Rick James but polished with super freaky female front vocals, it's wholly unique and backs up the first pressing's pricetag of $500. "Heaven's Love" is the perfect counter with its emphatic harmonies and stately instrumentation. A serious timepiece from AOTN.
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ATH 033
12 Aug 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
12 Aug 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: The first ever Athens of the North 12" is a real pearler, presenting the unreleased full length mix of Symbol 8's classic disco burner "I Thought You Wanted To Dance." The track was originally pressed on 7" back in 1978, split down the middle with one part on each side, but it's a track that was made for the full 12" format and is done so here on a Full Midtown Mix. Charlie Adams versatile vocal flipping into falsetto with ease while the band holds the solid groove is a special thing. On the flip-side is a Shock Version of "I Thought You Wanted To Dance," which surfaced later and sounds very different, sitting pretty alongside a personal DJ Fryer favourite "Call Me". Essential as always.
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ATH 12001A
10 Jun 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
10 Jun 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Hober Mallow
Review: Athens Of The North are crate diggers extraordinaire, but here they have really outdone themselves. An obscure Floridian disco/funk act from the late 70s, Fruit barely even registered on the music world at the time. Only their solitary 1978 single "Say It" ever got released and it was only years later that rare as hens teeth copies of it became collector's items. AOTN however, went further though, contacting Cypress Studios and unearthing a whole unreleased album by this forgotten band. Now for the first time ever they present this sizzling ten track trawl through distinctly southern-tinged boogie funk and soul.
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AOTNLP 007
27 May 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
27 May 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Scots reissue heroes Athens Of The North are on a roll right now and here is the latest unearthed nugget. This rarity has been snatched from the jaws of obscurity and reintroduces these vintage soul cuts to a new generation. The title track has that shimmering American early 80s soul sound with a slight whiff of jazz - like if George Benson swapped his guitar for a bass and lots of amphetamines. And "Say Yea" is the schmaltzy ballad he sings to his lady from the bonnet of his car having driven round hers at 8am the next day.
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ATH 031
27 May 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
27 May 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Following BBE's release the Chicago troupe's Devil Made Me Do It earlier this year, Athens Of The North ensure the criminally over-looked/under-paid band continue to remain in the spotlight with an entire album of unreleased material. Recently excavated from a Chicago warehouse, complete with masters, the songs were written and recorded in the mid '70s not long before the band eventually split. If you know their material, you'll already know how funky the band are. If not, dig deep at the soonest opportunity. From the toxic-levels of cosmic funk on "Boogie" to the dreamier, space ballad "Dark Moon", this is the sound of a super-tight, incredibly talented funk band who really should have been up there with Cymande or Average White Band.
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AOTNLP 006
13 May 16
Funk
13 May 16
Funk
Review: As with much of Athens Of The North's material, original copies of "You've Got A Lot Of Living" are nigh on impossible to find. The record was self-released by Ed "Mr Wigg" Wiley in 1980, on his short-lived Wiglet imprint. Whatever the origins, "You've Got A Lot Of Living" is something of a jazz-funk influenced disco-boogie gem, with party-hearty vocals riding a killer groove that boasts the twin attractions of jaunty Clavinet lines and music box style melodies. The largely instrumental "Part 2" version gives the clav lines a chance to breathe, while also featuring the crunchy guitar riffs more prominently in the mix. Both sides are superb.
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ATH 022
08 Apr 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
08 Apr 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: The Athens of the North label is a blessing for those whose tastes in soul, funk, disco and boogie tend towards the obscure and ludicrously hard-to-find. Their latest re-issue fits into both categories. Seemingly the only single they ever released, "Confrontation" came out in 1981 on Arista but copies have since proved incredibly hard to find; so hard, in fact, that original 7" singles now change hands online for nearly L300. The title track, produced by A Taste of Honey's Perry Kibble, is brilliant, though, delivering a soulful, heartfelt disco-funk jam full of smooth backing vocals, bubbling clavinet lines and deliciously righteous horns.
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ATH 019
30 Oct 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
30 Oct 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
Various
Played by: Juno Recommends Funk
Review: Back in the mid 1970s, young engineer Terry 'T.K' Kane and Harry Stone joined forces to launch a studio and record distribution business in Miami. It would spawn a huge number of in-house labels, and even greater number of funk and disco releases, and even a string of million-selling artists. Given this legacy, it's little surprise to see Athens of the North paying tribute to the funk side of Henry Stone's impressive legacy with this superb collection. While there are a few tried-and-tested cuts to be found - see the T Connection and Little Beaver cuts - for the most part The Miami Sound focuses on more obscure - but no less hard-hitting - gems from the likes of Jonny K, Stevens & Foster and Leno Philips.
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AOTNLP 002CD
29 Jun 15
Soul
29 Jun 15
Soul
Played by: Juno Recommends Soul
Review: Recently, Athens of the North has spent much time digging through the archives of Henry Stone's Miami-based disco and funk empire, which included a studio, distribution business and a multitude of labels. Here, they issue a couple of alternate versions of tracks by Florida disco-funk mainstay Milton Wright. "The Science That You Keep (First Version)" comes free of the synthesizer lines that were such a feature of the previously released take. As a result, it's an altogether tighter, more groove-based deep disco outing, with Wright's vocal sounding particularly good. Flipside "Po Man (First Version)" is similarly stripped-back, with sweet guitar licks and an undulating bassline wrapping themselves around a hazy disco-funk groove and Wright's decidedly psychedelic vocal.
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ATH 016
18 May 15
Soul
18 May 15
Soul
Review: Straight out of the early '80s, "The Greatest Part Of Loving" was penned and produced by Adell Shavers and Was Not Was's David McMurray. A silky piece of contemporary Detroit boogie, "The Greatest Part Of Loving" was criminally serviced and never felt the spotlight it deserved; until now that is thanks to The Athens Of The North crew. Backed up with the fittingly titled stomping disco funk cut "Fun", this limited 7" covers both sides of the dance with the attention to detail and care we've come to expect from AOTN.
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ATH 009
09 Feb 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
09 Feb 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Juno Recommends Soul
Review: Many will be familiar with Milton Wright's Friends & Buddies album, a much-sampled Miami soul classic that's been in demand since its' release in 1975. Intriguingly, that version of the album was Wright's second version; the first slipped out in limited numbers on promo before the master tapes were destroyed in a fire, forcing the artist to re-record it. This, then, is the first release of Wright's original version, rescued from permanent obscurity by Athens of the North. Notably folksier, looser and breezier than the version we've all come to know and love, Original Friends & Buddies sounds more like Terry Callier than Wright's later output. Happily, he tells the whole story himself in the excellent sleeve notes.
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AOTNCD 001
12 Jan 15
Soul
12 Jan 15
Soul
Review: West Indies soul man Kirton gets the Athens of the North treatment with two immaculately remastered, dynamically beefed tracks from his 1980 album Just Arrived. "Something Special" is straight up late 70s soul with emphatic, yearning lyrics and sweeping strings. "Love Don't Want Your Love" takes us down the straight up disco funk route; gutsy, hooky and feel good, if you're not strutting by the end of this your volume switch is busted. First time on 45", this is yet another notch in AOTN's ever-growing bedpost.
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ATH 008
22 Dec 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
22 Dec 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
