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Back catalogue: Soul
Juno's full catalogue of Soul
Albums
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Review: Georgia-born soul singer Nathan Bartell cut a number of obscure deep funk, soul and disco singles in the 1970s and early '80s, most of which are on the wants-list of some of the world's most enthusiastic and knowledgeable record collectors. Athens of the North is therefore doing a good deed by collecting these sought-after "sides" together on an album for the very first time. The self-titled set does a great job of introducing us to Bartell's soulful world via a mixture of righteous funk floor-burners, emotional slow jams, Southern soul numbers, slick boogie numbers and '80s soul treats. In other words, it's a much-needed retrospective of one of underground soul's genuine forgotten talents.
… Read morePlayed by: I Love Disco!, Soul Music
out of stock $13.58
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Review: Athens of the North is back in business this new year with a couple of singles as well as a new album dropping before the end of January. This time it is Bo'vel's Changes album that gets served up on wax having teased the act by including them on a compilation Just A Touch late last year. Their soul sound is distantly UK-centric but with influxes from dub, funk and more. That is well showcased here across ten tracks that were famously made in the mid-90s in Manchester without a big budget or big press campaign but became cult classics all the same.
… Read morePlayed by: Mike O'Mara, Juno Recommends Soul
in stock $27.16
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Review: The untouchable Athens of The North has got another carefully sought-out reissue on its hands here with Bobby Boyd's self-titled album. He was a Lafayette Afro Rock Band member, highly talented and, we think, rather overlooked instrumentalist and singer and his work has appeared often on this label who have single-handedly been getting him the attention he deserves as a result. Now it all comes to fruition in fine style with this ten-track pearler - a mix of his upbeat funky grooves, more tender and downbeat soul swooners and plenty of gorgeous sounds in between, not least the jazzy grooves of 'How Do You Hang On To A Dream.'
… Read morePlayed by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul
out of stock $21.82
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Review: Throughout the 1970s, North Carolina outfit Brief Encounter released a string of fine, but largely overlooked, funk and soul 45s. Their most significant and celebrated release, though, is 1981 album "We Want To Play", a warm and groovy collection of boogie-fired soul songs that regularly changes hands for significant sums online. As this Athens Of The North reissue proves, the LP has lost none of its luster over the years. Highlights include the inspired string-drenched ballad "Now I Know I Love You", the groovy dancefloor heat of "Rocking" and the soaring gospel-disco brilliance of "Always".
… Read moreout of stock $37.42
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Review: Athens of the North have teased this collection of singles with a bunch of taster 7"s but still the full length itself confounds expectation. It is a superb work of heart aching soul and modern disco from Brief Encounters who are best known for their stone cold classics 'Get A Good Feeling' and 'Just A Little Notion.' The first of those two features here along with many others gems such as the blue-eyed opener 'Where Will I Go,' deep soul of 'Don't Let Them Tell You' and bigger, horn led tunes like 'I'm So Satisfied.' It's an essential album for any and all soul lovers.
… Read moreout of stock $33.24
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Review: We have been waiting for this full length to drop ever since we were tased by the lead single a month or so ago. There was already no doubting James Alexander Bright's chops but this Athens of the North album proves them beyond doubt. It is a vibrant fusion of his multi-instrumentalist skills with boogie, soul, disco and funk all coalescing into something new but run through with a timeless authenticity. 'Straight Line' brings squelchy boogie vibes and a hooky falsetto, while 'Fall For You' is more yacht-rock style soul. There are then bouncy but tender cuts like 'Catch My Breath' and intimate pieces like 'I Feel Alive' (feat Letherette) all making this one of the year's standouts.
… Read morePlayed by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul, Juno Recommends Soul
out of stock $27.71
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Review: The second LP on Athens Of The North (Edinburgh) this month is an unreleased soul LP from the American band Coast To Coast, who only released two singles between 1982 - 1983. Core members Mark Beiner and Ben Iverson were involved with acts such as 'The Hornets, Nue Dey Express and Crown Heights Affair in the early '70's. Other band members consisted of Joe Crowley, Carl (Woody Wood) Morton and Jimmy Johnson. Woody and Jimmy used to play together in the early days of seminal rap outfit Run DMC in St. Albans, Queens. Worth a listen for the soothing soul power of 'Paila Marie' alone.
… Read more in stock $23.84
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Review: Edinburgh's Athens Of The North label is endlessly flawless and this time around they pull together the special lovers rock covers they put out at the end of last year onto a superbly strong 12 track compilation. It arrives just in time for the warmer months and has been curated by Sam Don and overseen by label boss Euan Fryer. Standouts include Christine Lewin's lush take on the heavily sampled "Juicy Fruit" while the lo-fi bliss of Al Charles's "Outstanding" is another one to swell the heart and sooth the soul. For more sentimental moments check Family Love's "Do Me Baby." Overall, though, this is a must buy.
… Read morePlayed by: Dave Lee ZR, Mukatsuku Records Chart, JimmyTheTwin, Yiannis 'Nova' Dorakis, Athens of the North (Fryer), Koichi Sakai, Owain Kimber (Owain K), RUSTAM OSPANOFF., Adventures In Paradise, Boy Oliver, Thatmanmonkz (Shadeleaf Music), * Record Breakin' Music *, Marcel Vogel, Juno Recommends Disco, I Love Disco!, Kenneth Bager // Musicfordreams, Your Name (Legalize Lambada), Osmose, Reggae Mash Ups Tha Dance !, Sam Don, Admin, Charlie bucket/ dancing in space, Soul Music, Juno Records Staff Picks
… Read moreout of stock $57.64
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Sam DON / VARIOUS
For The Love Of You (B-STOCK) (gatefold 2xLP)
Cat: AOTNLP 031 (B-STOCK). Rel: 19 Oct 21
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
Edinburgh's Athens Of The North label is endlessly flawless and this time around they pull together the special lovers rock covers they put out at the end of last year onto a superbly strong 12 track compilation. It arrives just in time for the warmer months and has been curated by Sam Don and overseen by label boss Euan Fryer. Standouts include Christine Lewin's lush take on the heavily sampled "Juicy Fruit" while the lo-fi bliss of Al Charles's "Outstanding" is another one to swell the heart and sooth the soul. For more sentimental moments check Family Love's "Do Me Baby." Overall, though, this is a must buy.
… Read moreEdinburgh's Athens Of The North label is endlessly flawless and this time around they pull together the special lovers rock covers they put out at the end of last year onto a superbly strong 12 track compilation. It arrives just in time for the warmer months and has been curated by Sam Don and overseen by label boss Euan Fryer. Standouts include Christine Lewin's lush take on the heavily sampled "Juicy Fruit" while the lo-fi bliss of Al Charles's "Outstanding" is another one to swell the heart and sooth the soul. For more sentimental moments check Family Love's "Do Me Baby." Overall, though, this is a must buy.
out of stock $18.08
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Sam DON / VARIOUS
Just A Touch: Underground UK Soul Compiled By Sam Don (gatefold 2xLP)
Cat: AOTNLP 063. Rel: 12 Oct 23
Review: After his hugely well received lovers' rock compilations for this label, Sam Don digs deep into the rich world of UK sweet soul on this - typically - excellent new compilation from the wondrous ashes of the North. He comes up with plenty of mega hard to find and expensive musical treasures that have all been painstakingly researched and tracked down. It was a short lived but fertile scene in the underground back in the 90s and if you didn't; know that already you will after one listen through of this - the sounds are highly danceable with silky, low-lit melodies and steamy and seductive vocals for loved up late night dancing.
… Read more in stock $31.59
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Leon GARDNER / VARIOUS
Cat: AOTNLP 043. Rel: 25 Mar 21
Review: Dancer and Hammond B3 player Leon Gardner never received the recognition his talent deserved, and the lack of success of his Igloo Records imprint - a haven for deep soul and funk, jazz-soul and rhythm and blues in the late 1960s and early '70s - eventually drove him to quitting music. This retrospective, which focuses on his music and other artists he produced for the label, is undoubtedly well overdue and lands a number of years after he passed away. Packed with dancefloor-ready deep funk, simmering soul and spoken word-laden eccentricities, it genuinely is - as the title suggests - a snapshot of "soul on the fringes".
… Read morePlayed by: Juno Recommends Funk, Soul Music
out of stock $10.26
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David HAFFNER / VARIOUS
Disco With A Feeling: An Introduction To The Heart & Soul Of Independent Disco (B-STOCK) (gatefold 2xLP)
Cat: AOTNLP 021 (B-STOCK). Rel: 01 Jan 90
B-STOCK: Slight surface marks but otherwise plays fine
Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface marks but otherwise plays fine ***
Many of the finest independent disco 45s that Athens of the North has reissued were licensed by crate digger David Haffner, so it's fitting that AOTN boss Euan Fryer has given him a compilation of his own. "Disco With A Feeling" contains some of those picks, alongside other obscure favourites from Haffner's sizable record collection. It's absolute fire from start to finish, with the little known private press and small-run cuts tending towards the more soulful and jazz-funk influenced end of the disco spectrum. Basically, it's a must-have for anyone who gravitates towards the rare end of the disco spectrum.
… Read moreMany of the finest independent disco 45s that Athens of the North has reissued were licensed by crate digger David Haffner, so it's fitting that AOTN boss Euan Fryer has given him a compilation of his own. "Disco With A Feeling" contains some of those picks, alongside other obscure favourites from Haffner's sizable record collection. It's absolute fire from start to finish, with the little known private press and small-run cuts tending towards the more soulful and jazz-funk influenced end of the disco spectrum. Basically, it's a must-have for anyone who gravitates towards the rare end of the disco spectrum.
out of stock $24.38
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David HAFFNER / VARIOUS
Cat: AOTNLP 021. Rel: 17 Jan 24
Review: Many of the finest independent disco 45s that Athens of the North has reissued were licensed by crate digger David Haffner, so it's fitting that AOTN boss Euan Fryer has given him a compilation of his own. "Disco With A Feeling" contains some of those picks, alongside other obscure favourites from Haffner's sizable record collection. It's absolute fire from start to finish, with the little known private press and small-run cuts tending towards the more soulful and jazz-funk influenced end of the disco spectrum. Basically, it's a must-have for anyone who gravitates towards the rare end of the disco spectrum.
… Read morePlayed by: Dave Lee ZR, JimmyTheTwin, Moodena (Tropical Disco Records), Phillie P (Ice City Rec), RUSTAM OSPANOFF., Craig Charles Funk And Soul, Pete Haigh, Ionik (Traveller Records, KGS), Marcel Vogel, THE REFLEX, Andrea passenger, Admin, Charlie bucket/ dancing in space, Juno Recommends Soul, Soul Music, Miche, Dynamite Cuts
… Read moreout of stock $26.33
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Cat: AOTNLP 011. Rel: 23 Mar 17
Review: Legendary but hugely unsung Tulsa funkateers J.O.B had a serious live reputation attracting homage from the likes of Chaka Khan, Bootsy and Gap Band. You can feel the energy and fluidity between the trio from these four songs alone; the jittering, tightly sprung groove of "Keep On Smiling", the Hathaway-style measured spoken slow jam "Just A Song", the floor-stamping organ struts of "Love Everything About You" and soft focus Faze O-style cosmic soul of "Valentine Love". Few recordings of Billy Bruner's troupe exist and even fewer live recordings, making this all the more special.
… Read morePlayed by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul
out of stock $7.21
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Review: Under the Junior Mendes alias, Luiz Mendes Jr was a key figure on the Brazilian funk/soul scene of the '70s and early '80s. As writer, composer and producer, he had a hand in a variety of releases by such big-hitting Brazilian artists as Banda Black Rio and Tim Maia. In 1982 he recorded and released his sole solo album, Cococabana Sadia, a set that remains virtually unknown outside of his native Brazil. As this Athens of the North reissue proves, it's something of an overlooked gem. Musically, it's typically of boogie-era Brazilian soul and funk, mixing native rhythms and instrumentation with elements borrowed from disco, jazz-funk and bouncy dancefloor soul. It's unashamedly sunny and positive, too, and should be essential listening for anyone who loves Latin disco and boogie.
… Read moreout of stock $41.29
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Cat: AOTNLP 004 (B-STOCK). Rel: 24 Sep 15
B-STOCK: Creasing on outer sleeve, also the record has light surface marks/scratches, but otherwise in excellent working condition
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing on outer sleeve, also the record has light surface marks/scratches, but otherwise in excellent working condition***
Reissued to mark its 40th anniversary, Black Fairy is as unique a document as they get: a jazz funk musical that tells the tale of Africa American history for children. Penned to help alleviate or counter a strong sense of injustice and inequality felt by black children the 70s, the Chicago community group La Mont Zeno Theatre tackle the brutal past - from Egypt to slavery to racial segregation - with clarity and empowerment. Musically it's at once raw and soulful, sitting somewhere between Hathaway and Scott Heron but lyrically the story has never been told like this before or after.
… Read moreReissued to mark its 40th anniversary, Black Fairy is as unique a document as they get: a jazz funk musical that tells the tale of Africa American history for children. Penned to help alleviate or counter a strong sense of injustice and inequality felt by black children the 70s, the Chicago community group La Mont Zeno Theatre tackle the brutal past - from Egypt to slavery to racial segregation - with clarity and empowerment. Musically it's at once raw and soulful, sitting somewhere between Hathaway and Scott Heron but lyrically the story has never been told like this before or after.
out of stock $8.15
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Review: Reissued to mark its 40th anniversary, Black Fairy is as unique a document as they get: a jazz funk musical that tells the tale of Africa American history for children. Penned to help alleviate or counter a strong sense of injustice and inequality felt by black children the 70s, the Chicago community group La Mont Zeno Theatre tackle the brutal past - from Egypt to slavery to racial segregation - with clarity and empowerment. Musically it's at once raw and soulful, sitting somewhere between Hathaway and Scott Heron but lyrically the story has never been told like this before or after.
… Read moreout of stock $12.48
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Review: Over the years Athens of the North founder Euan Fryer has heard a lot of incredible music, so when he says that La Rombe is the best singer/songwriter he's heard we sit up and take notice. To prove his point, Fryer has trawled through the Philadelphia musician's archive of recordings (it stretches back to 1979) and put together this essential retrospective. There's much to admire throughout, with the assembled cuts mostly mining the overlooked artist's soul, disco and 1980s rhythm and blues work. We'd highlight individual tracks for praise, but such is the quality throughout that naming favourites seems pointless. Take our advice: grab a copy while you can.
… Read moreout of stock $30.21
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out of stock $37.97
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Cat: AOTNLP 017 (B-STOCK). Rel: 10 May 18
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
out of stock $9.55
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in stock $9.96
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Look A Little Higher (LP)
Cat: AOTNLP 057. Rel: 23 Jun 22
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.
… Read more in stock $9.70
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Cat: AOTNLP 023. Rel: 24 Jan 19
Review: Some dusty-fingered diggers may be familiar with "World Full Of People", an insanely rare and suitably sought-after 1976 7" by a little-known band called Everyday People. Most thought that was their only release; in fact, they also released a full-length the same year under the People's Pleasure alias. That album is apparently even harder to find, making this first ever vinyl reissue a must-have for fans of quality funk and soul. Much of the material sits somewhere between rubbery funk, jaunty jazz-funk and storming soul, with highlights including the laidback bliss of "Heavenly Feeling" (very Idris Muhammad), the righteous, horn-heavy "World Full of People" and the seductive, synth-laden slow jam "Fantasies and Dreams".
… Read moreout of stock $24.38
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Review: Second time around for "In Togetherness", a private press gem from 1977 that has recently become popular with dusty-fingered collectors of underground disco and soul. It was originally written, performed, produced and pressed by almost unknown singer Judy Pollak and Michigan-based backing band 33 1/3. This Athens of the North vinyl re-issue follows a recent CD edition by Japanese imprint P-Vine. Musically, there's much to admire throughout, from the sax-and-synths-laden disco stomp of "Mr DJ" and down low disco-funk headiness of "Fascinating", to the seductive sweetness of Pollack's breathy vocal on "Come With Me" and the sun-kissed breeziness of the brilliant "More Than Words".
… Read morePlayed by: Juno Recommends Soul, Jake Stellarwell
out of stock $15.80
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Cat: AOTNLP 049. Rel: 23 Jun 22
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.
… Read morePlayed by: Juno Recommends Soul
! low stock $9.96
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Review: Another month, another absolutely crucial new/old album from one of our favourite labels, name Edinburgh's Athens of the North. This one collects together some eye-wateringly rare soul music from the 1970s that only came on two 45rpms and one famously madcap self titled Premonitions long player. Melvin Miller and Finley Martin's band put together a killer fusion of deep soul, deep funk, disco and plenty of in between sounds here. It makes for a magical listen that will open the heart and have the feet tapping to these most emotive and timeless grooves.
… Read morePlayed by: Juno Recommends Soul
out of stock $10.82
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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.
… Read moreout of stock $23.27
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out of stock $21.34
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Cat: AOTNLP 034D (B-STOCK). Rel: 23 Jul 20
B-STOCK: Record ever so slightly warped with creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Review: ***B-STOCK: Record ever so slightly warped with creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
Floridian modern soul band Rivage recorded just one single and a sole album during their early '80s heyday, and both are apparently amongst Athens of the North boss Euan Fryer's favourite records of all time. It makes sense then that he has decided to reissue their album, "Sittin' On It" - an ultra-rare affair from 1981 that is here presented for the first time with an alternative photo cover (apparently the band hated the original cover). There's plenty to get the juices flowing across the eight tracks, with our highlights including "Sha Na Na", a punchy call for "soul for the people" blessed with brilliant horn arrangements, the Clavinet-sporting disco-funk cheeriness of "I Need Your Love", the deliciously celebratory title track and sweet, flute-laden closer "Strung Out On Your Love".
… Read moreFloridian modern soul band Rivage recorded just one single and a sole album during their early '80s heyday, and both are apparently amongst Athens of the North boss Euan Fryer's favourite records of all time. It makes sense then that he has decided to reissue their album, "Sittin' On It" - an ultra-rare affair from 1981 that is here presented for the first time with an alternative photo cover (apparently the band hated the original cover). There's plenty to get the juices flowing across the eight tracks, with our highlights including "Sha Na Na", a punchy call for "soul for the people" blessed with brilliant horn arrangements, the Clavinet-sporting disco-funk cheeriness of "I Need Your Love", the deliciously celebratory title track and sweet, flute-laden closer "Strung Out On Your Love".
out of stock $13.14
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Review: Floridian modern soul band Rivage recorded just one single and a sole album during their early '80s heyday, and both are apparently amongst Athens of the North boss Euan Fryer's favourite records of all time. It makes sense then that he has decided to reissue their album, "Sittin' On It" - an ultra-rare affair from 1981 that is here presented for the first time with an alternative photo cover (apparently the band hated the original cover). There's plenty to get the juices flowing across the eight tracks, with our highlights including "Sha Na Na", a punchy call for "soul for the people" blessed with brilliant horn arrangements, the Clavinet-sporting disco-funk cheeriness of "I Need Your Love", the deliciously celebratory title track and sweet, flute-laden closer "Strung Out On Your Love".
… Read moreout of stock $31.04
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Henry STONE / VARIOUS
Cat: AOTNLP 002. Rel: 25 Jun 15
Review: Back in the mid 1970s, young engineer Terry 'T.K' Kane and Henry 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.
… Read morePlayed by: Scratchandsniff, Mukatsuku Records Chart, Athens of the North (Fryer), DJ Gilla, Craig Charles Funk And Soul, Shawn Ryan (Universal Cave), Diesler, Juno Recommends Funk, I Love Disco!, Osmose, Skyline Recordings Chart, DJ Chicken George, Djs: Most Charted - Funk, Admin, Originals, Roger Bong (Aloha Got Soul), Professor Shorthair, Soul Music
… Read moreout of stock $23.84
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Review: With Valentine's Day fast approaching, Athens of the North has decided to deliver a licensed reissue of one of the rarest, finest and most loved-up southern soul albums of all time, William Stuckey's 1979 set Love Of Mine. It's never sounded better, too, thanks to some meticulous work repairing and remastering Stuckey's original master-tapes. The album itself is typical of the dancefloor-friendly soul sound of the period, with Stuckey and his collaborators flitting between immersive, glassy-eyed songs, string-laden disco jams, synth-sporting, P-funk style numbers and the kind of down-low instrumentals you'd expect to hear sound-tracking Blaxploitation movies of the period. In a word: essential!
… Read moreout of stock $26.05
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Cat: AOTNLP 046 (B-STOCK). Rel: 28 Jan 21
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
With Valentine's Day fast approaching, Athens of the North has decided to deliver a licensed reissue of one of the rarest, finest and most loved-up southern soul albums of all time, William Stuckey's 1979 set Love Of Mine. It's never sounded better, too, thanks to some meticulous work repairing and remastering Stuckey's original master-tapes. The album itself is typical of the dancefloor-friendly soul sound of the period, with Stuckey and his collaborators flitting between immersive, glassy-eyed songs, string-laden disco jams, synth-sporting, P-funk style numbers and the kind of down-low instrumentals you'd expect to hear sound-tracking Blaxploitation movies of the period. In a word: essential!
… Read moreWith Valentine's Day fast approaching, Athens of the North has decided to deliver a licensed reissue of one of the rarest, finest and most loved-up southern soul albums of all time, William Stuckey's 1979 set Love Of Mine. It's never sounded better, too, thanks to some meticulous work repairing and remastering Stuckey's original master-tapes. The album itself is typical of the dancefloor-friendly soul sound of the period, with Stuckey and his collaborators flitting between immersive, glassy-eyed songs, string-laden disco jams, synth-sporting, P-funk style numbers and the kind of down-low instrumentals you'd expect to hear sound-tracking Blaxploitation movies of the period. In a word: essential!
out of stock $14.13
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Review: A record unlike any other, 'Is That What You Want' is a fascinating slice of what some might call 'outsider soul', but even that label can't do full justice to the music here. Part of a wholly unrecognised community of DIY musicians living in East Philadelphia in the 1980s, Lee Tracy and Isaac Manning were a vocal, instrumental and production duo whose efforts flew sorely under the radar at the time that they laid these slick slices of experimental joy to tape. Bleeding a shocking transfusion of gospel, electro, lo-fi, funk and soul, this is a worthy slice of Afrofuturism existing outside the jazz connotation. "We never went to no studio," retorts Manning, showing off the pair's homespun ingenuity. Bolstered by a slew of DIY videos shot in Lee's front garden, this has everything from black Southern IDM to machine-glitched proto-raps. It deserves all the recognition it can get.
… Read morePlayed by: Marco Gallerani, Ltj xperience
in stock $25.22
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Valerie Harrison - "Fools Paradise"
Chosen Few - "Don't Keep Me Waiting"
Sylvia Tella - "You Might Need Somebody"
Review: First released this time last year, the second instalment in Athens of the North's 'For The Love of You' compilation series returns to stores in lightly tweaked form. Like its' predecessor, the collection is a loving celebration of lovers rock, with a focus not on original songs but reggae-fied cover versions. This edition ('2.1' rather than '2') includes all but one track from the original pressing, which has been replaced by Byron Walker and Sandra Edwards' brilliant take on Dennis Edwards' 80s soul fave 'Don't Look Any Further'). It remains a brilliant comp all told, with our current favourites including Valerie Harrison's super-sweet cover of Melissa Morgan boogie classic 'Fools Paradise', a smouldering interpretation of Simply Red's 'Holding Back The Years' by Pete Cambell and a seductive shuffle through Lionel Richie's 'All Night Long' courtesy of Fallon Jennings.
… Read more in stock $31.04
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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.
… Read moreout of stock $23.27
