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Home  Bestsellers  Funk  Funk  This Week
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Bestselling Funk vinyl
Items 1 to 23 of 23 on page 1 of 1
1
Be There In The Morning
Cat: ATH 003. Rel: 28 Feb 24
Be There In The Morning (1977 version)
Be There In The Morning (1976 version)
Review: Athens Of The North represent one of Australia's finest soul exponents Renee Geyer. "Be There In The Morning" comes in two forms... The 1977 version will be recognised from her most successful album of the time Moving Along. An upbeat fusion of soul and funk with mild disco nuances, it comes with confident orchestration and an instantly infectious, ultimately emphatic chorus. The real coup here, however, is the softer, dreamier earlier version that's so rare it never left the confines of her native country. It's digging like this that makes the young-but-hugely-potential rare music label Athens Of The North a very exciting prospect for record collectors.
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 in stock $12.61
2
You're So Fine
You're So Fine (limited 7'')
Cat: ATH 077. Rel: 10 Jun 21
You're So Fine (2:57)
Sweetest Thing On This Side Of Heaven (3:45)
Review: This excellent 7" single from Athens Of The North boasts more desirable deep funk business. This time dusty-fingered digger Euan Fryer has secured the rights to a sought-after seven from Papa Bear & His Cubs, a long-serving combo whose sole "45" has long been a sought-after item amongst serious soul and funk heads. "You're So Fine" may sound like it was recorded in a cement mixer on a cheap portable tape recorder, but musically it's soul bliss - a wonderfully languid, loved-up song blessed with a superb lead vocal and languid instrumentation. "Sweetest Thing On This Side Of Heaven" is, if anything, even more dewy-eyed - a seductive slow jam whose saccharine lyrics are delivered with heartfelt passion.
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 in stock $11.31
3
What Do You Want Me To Do
Cat: ATH 099. Rel: 15 Jul 21
What Do You Want Me To Do (4:32)
What Do You Want Me To Do (edit) (4:24)
Review: Athens of the North is continually one of our favourite labels here at Juno HQ. The Edinburgh based outlet's tireless mission to unearth forgotten gems or shine a light on deserving tracks that may have been overlooked cannot be faulted. This time out Christopher Jay's 'What Do You want Me To Do' from 1987 gets served up on its own 45rpm. It is a glorious bit of disco boogie with a rugged broken beat, funk in the bass and soul in the buttery vocal. On the flip is a subtle edit that hits just as sweet a spot and it comes with a nice picture sleeve, too.
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Tags: Disco Funk
 in stock $7.62
4
Our Love
Cat: ATH 086. Rel: 01 Oct 20
Our Love (4:23)
It's Up To You (3:57)
Review: It was back in 1986 when obscure UK electrofunk band Leval released their sole 7" - a sparkling slab of pop-boogie brilliance that has long been a secret weapon for dusty-fingered diggers and Brit-funk collectors. As this Athens of the North reissue proves, the record remains a brilliant Brit-boogie gem. Check first 'Our Love', a confirmed earworm that sees the band wrap duetting male/female vocals around a deliciously bustling blend of rubbery slap-bass, eyes-closed soft rock guitars, warm synthesizer chords and a dewy-eyed, jazz-funk style breakdown. Flipside 'It's Up To You' is a little more eccentric thanks to an unusual time signature and drum track, but boasts the same addictive blend of male and female lead vocals, slap bass and synths.
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Tags: Disco Funk
 in stock $6.84
5
She's On The Money
Cat: AOTN 12015. Rel: 29 Apr 21
She Is On The Money (unreleased 14.43 Disco mix) (14:44)
Holiday (4:31)
She Is On The Money (alternate) (4:37)
She Is On The Money (7' version) (4:06)
She Is On The Money (instrumental) (4:08)
Review: Once again Athens of the North boss Euan Fryer has dug deep for inspiration. Even within disco and boogie collector circles, few know the self-released early '80 singles of sometime Sister Sledge backing bandmember Doug Payne. As Fryer has proved on this compilation style EP, Payne's boogie-era jams were genuinely brilliant. The killer cut is 'She's On The Money', a P-funk style wriggler - think squelchy, undulating synth-bass, soulful vocals, sparkling synth lines and bustling machine drums - that's available in a variety of versions. Our pick of the bunch is the previously unreleased extended mix, which stretches out to almost 15 minutes and includes some superb, DJ-friendly stripped-back sections. Also worth a listen is the slap-bass-propelled boogie-funk of 'Holiday', which was originally Payne's debut solo single way back in 1983.
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 in stock $5.78
6
Disco Thing
Cat: ATH 117. Rel: 24 Feb 22
Disco Thing (2:56)
Your Love (3:03)
Review: It was way back in 1977 when disco collective Seaquence made their debut on Aidqueen Records, a tiny, independent label based in their home city of San Diego, California. That debut, a delightful but extremely hard to find "45", has long been in demand amongst deep disco collectors, hence this timely reissue on Athens of the North. The real killer is A-side 'Disco Thing', a tight-but-freewheeling chunk of disco-funk piled high with alternate male/female vocals, loose-limbed drum-breaks, punchy horns, swooping strings and squelchy synth sounds. Original B-side 'Your Love' is a deeper and far sweeter affair - a traditional flipside slow jam that's as tear-jerking as it is effortlessly soulful.
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 in stock $13.15
7
Treasure Mind
Cat: ATH 120. Rel: 10 Jun 22
Treasure Mind (2:55)
UR (3:32)
Review: A true Texan soul rarity, Athens Of The North have outdone themselves in reissuing this word-of-mouth classic. Trace Of Smoke's only single under the name, 'U.R.', originally came out in 1982 on the tiny friends-and-family-run Austin label B.J. Records. However, legend has it that the song might have existed up to a decade earlier. Being the first Black band in Austin to play white clubs in the 1970s, only the vaguest memories of their performances of 'U.R.' and 'Treasure Mind' survive, lending to the exorbitant prices fetched by the original pressings. Disco-soul fusion of peak quality, from the band later known as Karizma.
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Tags: Soul Disco
 in stock $13.15
8
Leather Pants
Cat: ATH 104. Rel: 24 Feb 22
Leather Pants (4:24)
Nicci's Theme (3:35)
Review: The relentless Athens Of The North is having a busy month even by its own high standards. February alone has at least three new 45rpms dropping and this might be the best: Homegrown Syndrome were a band that ended up in LA but giggled all round Memphis. Some members had played with an earlier band but they all came good on these previously unleashed tunes that have been found in the attic of Jerry Jones. 'Got The Love' is a chunky funky stepper with swirling synths and disco energy. 'Party Vibes' then takes off once more on hip swig claps, big arching chords and strident drums.

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 in stock $12.61
9
Billy Bruner
Cat: AOTNLP 038. Rel: 28 May 20
The T-u-l-s-a Song (4:35)
T'spoon - "Sweetness" (4:19)
The Dream (4:14)
T'spoon - "Say Yeah" (3:49)
Cats Meow (previously unreleased) (3:48)
T'spoon - "School Dance" (2:17)
Amazing (previously unreleased) (4:21)
Never (Give Up On You) (5:29)
T'spoon - "If You Dance Tonite" (4:43)
The Davis Family - "Genesis" (4:17)
Review: Athens of the North originally contracted obscure 80s boogie artist Billy Bruner about reissuing two of his rare, sought-after singles - "The Tulsa Song" and "The Dream" - but instead raided his tape archives and putting together what's effectively his debut album. Combining previously released tracks (including some made as part of similarly obscure outfit T'Spoon and the gospel-leaning band The Davis Family), unheard extended versions and previously unreleased songs, the album is warm, soulful, slick and summery. Highlights include the stuttering P-funk flex of "Cats Meow", the sizzling dancefloor heat of "School Dance" and the deliciously extended version of glassy-eyed '80s soul jam "Never". If sparkling, synth-heavy '80s soul is your thing, this is one surprise retrospective you won't want to miss.
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 in stock $19.46
10
Color Me (reissue)
Cat: AOE 035. Rel: 22 Aug 19
Color Me (2:32)
Misty Shade Of Pink (2:35)
Review: Way back in 1970, People In The News released their sole single on Knap Town, a tiny label based in Indiana. Original copies of that funk "45" are notoriously hard to find, thanks in no small part to the quality of both cuts. Step forward Athens Of The North boss Euan Fryer, who has secured the rights to reissue the single for the first time. A-side "Color Me" is the real bomb: a down-low chunk of mid-tempo funk with politically charged group vocals, rasping guitar licks and hip-hop style drum breaks. Over on side B, "Misty Shade Of Pink" is the kind of rock solid instrumental funk workout you'd expect to hear from the Meters.
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 in stock $10.51
11
Beautiful Day
Cat: AOE 036. Rel: 28 Mar 19
Beautiful Day (2:52)
Beautiful Day (Drums) (3:00)
Review: Athens Of The North celebrate the longstanding contributions of host, presenter, writer, personality and occasional singer Bernard "Spider" Harrison. Recorded sometime around 1970, and fetching large triple figures between collectors, the feel good bluesy soul cut "Beautiful Day" first landed on Lulu Records and has barely seen the light of day since... Until now. And it's loaded with a never-before-released drum cut. Don't sleep, though. Only 500 of these have been pressed.
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 in stock $11.31
12
You
You (7")
Cat: ATH 039. Rel: 24 Nov 16
You (4:46)
Space V (4:18)
Review: Christopher Sprains and The Strange Band recorded a whole heap of material in a hazy, drug-fuelled 19178, but their - surprisingly - never gained enough traction with the NYC disco crowd. Perhaps this work was too ahead of its time and, while it does share some qualities with the music of Rick James, it contains something dark, sexy, a little bit twisted and, of course, strange. The lead track "You" is a synth-heavy, electrifying boogie cut with a rugged percussion swing and an air of post-punk to its mix down, not to mention those utterly freaky vocals; our favourite, though, is actually "Space V", an insanely nutty electro cut that would have undoubtedly been on The Electrifying Mojo's playlist should it have landed on his lap. Totally recommended...
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 in stock $6.84
13
The Time Is Right
Cat: ATH 045. Rel: 29 Jun 17
The Time Is Right (3:23)
Feeling Funky (3:55)
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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 in stock $8.24
14
Space Saver (reissue)
Cat: ATH 130. Rel: 08 Dec 22
Space Saver (4:31)
Candybar Superstar (3:29)
Review: Athens Of The North will always be one of our favourite labels no matter what they're serving up. The Edinburgh-based deep diggers this time look to Race 'N Rhythm, which was once upon a time a 12-member jazz group based in Oakland. Jazz-master Rudolph Peters managed the multi-racial band and though they were admired on the vocal live circuit they only ever released one single before later doing an album. 'Space Saver' was recorded in California in 1982 and is a sultry and romantic soul sound with leads and coy rhythms. 'Candybar Superstar' on the backside is a pure fire dancefloor heater with high-energy claps, horns and vocals.
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 in stock $14.99
15
How Close (reissue)
Cat: ATH 137. Rel: 08 Dec 22
How Close (4:34)
How Close (remix) (4:36)
Review: Written by James Ernard, 'How Close' is a poppy funk track with as much history as killer synths. Written after his previous Ohio-based group Perfect Element declined opening for Prince on tour, Ernard left to set up his own label (which met a similar end as he and co-founder Kennith also had a falling out over creative differences). 'How Close' is a sensational piece of 80s American pop history, with a killer synth line and earworm vocals that'll have you shaking your hips before even realising. Side B has a nippy little remix by an undisclosed producer (which is sometimes the case with such niche pieces of history), that nonetheless breathes even more life into such a colourful track. It's often the 7" records that tell us the full history of the music industry behind the scenes at that time, and this release is no different - a perfect addition to that niche 7" collection you've been building up...
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 in stock $14.99
16
Look A Little Higher
Cat: AOTNLP 057. Rel: 23 Jun 22
Money Won't Change You (3:33)
It's Bad (3:08)
Good Thing (2:31)
Best Of Luck To You (3:02)
That's What I Get (2:11)
That's The Sound Of My Heart (2:20)
How Long Must I Wait For You (2:29)
Foxy Mama (2:36)
Look A Little Higher (2:43)
I Take What I Want (2:26)
She's Got To Be Loved (2:42)
Just A Dream (2:02)
To Love Me Like You Do (2:49)
There's Gonna Be A Better Day Coming (2:37)
Review: The glorious Athens of the North label will always be one of our favourites. It is pretty much buy on sight for lovers of soul, funk and disco and this month it is serving up two more unmissable long players. Here it is Ike and The Uptights and their superb sounds which make, what me might bravely, say, could be one of this always high class label's finest releases. Formed by Henry Bradley in Forrest City, The Uptights recorded for Memphis label Action Records and here we get a perfect window into their world of raw and guttural funk.
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 in stock $24.46
17
The Prince Of Georgia Soul
Cat: AOTNLP 049. Rel: 23 Jun 22
Lonely Girl (3:06)
Sexy Lady (3:54)
If You Want My Love (5:09)
My Love (3:57)
Let's Get Together For The Wrong We Have Done (2:54)
Whatcha Gonna Do About It (3:54)
You Are The One For Me (3:05)
Oh Baby Why You Want To Make Me Cry (2:55)
You Talk Too Much (3:59)
It's You Girl (4:00)
Review: It's time for another one of Athens of the North's magnificent reissue albums, this time with Arthur Ponder in the spotlight. The Georgia resident started singing in the 1960s, at first replacing Otis Redding in Johnny Jenkins & The Pinetoppers after Redding left. His first recording came in 1970 after years spent gigging hard and then he carried on well into the 80s making great tunes. It is that decade which is represented here with some solo tunes and some alongside local group Side Show. She are unreleased, some have previously been on 45 pm, all are gold.
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 in stock $17.62
18
You Can Tell Me Goodbye (reissue)
You Can Tell Me Goodbye (2:41)
I've Gotta Keep On Lovin' You (4:10)
Review: Athens of The North delivers once again here with another delightful reissue of a soul classic by Bernetia Miller And The Soul Groovers. An original of this Georgian gem is insanely rare and in fact the Athens boss himself has never actually seen a copy. It was recorded in the studio of Phil Walden's studio in Macon, Georgia and Bernetia herself has said it took many takes and plenty of hard work to get the result they wanted. Backing band The Soul Groovers had their own bus on which they toured plenty and this reissue is from the master tapes owned by Bernetia. 'You Can Tell Me Goodbye' has lo-fi drums and raw horns with a yearning vocal while 'I've Gotta Keep On Lovin' You' is more slow and steady and emotionally moving with a more tender vocal.
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 in stock $13.15
19
What About The Child
Cat: ATH 084. Rel: 30 Apr 20
What About The Child (2:44)
Now I Know (4:17)
Review: "What About The Child" by Avelino Pitts' obscure band GOLD has long been a sought-after deep funk rarity, with copies of the 1977 seven-inch single being extremely hard to come by these days. Helpfully Athens of the North's Euan Fryer knows the score and has decided to offer-up a much-needed reissue. The track is a fine slab of psychedelic soul in the vein of leading San Francisco groups of the period - Vehicle, Tower of Power and so on - with plenty of rhythmic shuffle and fine group vocals. Fryer has unearthed a gem for the flip, too: a previously unreleased cut that's on a similar sonic tip to Rotary Connection. It's worth the entrance price on its own.
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 in stock $9.20
20
Thumping For You (reissue)
Cat: ATH 148V. Rel: 13 Apr 23
Thumping For You (4:12)
Brandon's Song (5:09)
Review: Ben (Benjamin Robinson of Ben & Coco) and the Tight Squeeze Band have not long been getting us hot under the collar as Athens of the North put out a reissue of their AM Funk 7" only back in March. Now the faultless Edinburgh label is back with another pair of tunes from them that are just as good. 'Thumping For You' is nice loose-limbed, off-grid funk with love and wonky drums, happy sax lines and sustained chords bringing a golden touch next to the aloof vocals. 'Brandon's Song' is another uplifting one with seductive claps and shakers, squelchy leads and lush string synths.
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 in stock $12.61
21
Rocket Love
Cat: ATH 126. Rel: 26 Jan 23
Rocket Love (3:47)
No Turnin' Back (3:37)
Review: Detroit-born jazz musician Wendell Harrison did a lot of seminal work with the likes of Phil Ranelin and Tribe in the early part of his career, but he's also slipped out some seriously funky wares like this rare joint originally from 1982 on Wenha Records. Athens Of The North are champions of such records, picking them up, showing them some love and getting them out to a fresh audience, and so it goes on this killer 7", which flips the A and the B so Harrison's version of Stevie Wonder's 'Rocket Love' gets up front in all its groovesome glory.
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 in stock $10.51
22
Love Is The Same
Cat: ATH 176. Rel: 25 Jan 24
Love Is The Same (4:13)
Love Is The Same (instrumental) (4:05)
Review: It's always a buzz to see a new Athens of the North 7" drop onto our shelves. This first drop of the year comes from label regulars Coast to Coast who had their unreleased and self-titled soul album reissued here back in October 2021. It is the opening track from that glorious record that gets its own pressing on 45 rpm here with an instrumental on the flip. The original from core members Mark Beiner and Ben Iverson, 'Love Is The Same' has glorious vocal falsettos and super sweet rhythms that bring feel-good vibes like no other.
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 in stock $12.61
23
All The Way Down
Cat: ATH 139. Rel: 25 Jan 24
All The Way Down (3:16)
Tonight's The Night (3:40)
Review: Athens of the North has a famously busy rate of release and so it is no surprise that they keep that up even in the first months of the year. A slew of singles and an album are all dropping at the same time and this is one of them - yet another gold standard reissue, this time of Charles Barnwell's band The Funnybone Express. This 7" is a superb bit of deep funk with hints of modern soul that were huge back in the day and are sure to be so all over again now.
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 in stock $12.61
Items 1 to 23 of 23 on page 1 of 1
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