{"title":"Athens Of The North","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAOTN Records is an Edinburgh-based label, founded and operated by Euan Fryer, also known as DJ Fryer. With a passion for music and a deep understanding of the industry, AOTN Records has become a trusted name in the world of music e-commerce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnder the guidance of DJ Fryer, AOTN Records has established itself as a leading force in discovering and promoting exceptional talent. The label's commitment to quality is evident in its carefully curated selection of artists and releases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're searching for rare vinyl gems or digital downloads, AOTN Records offers a diverse range of genres including soul, funk, disco, jazz, and more. Explore their catalog today and discover the timeless sounds that have made AOTN Records a respected authority in the music industry.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"primitive-substance","title":"Primitive Substance","description":"\u003cp\u003eAfter Liquid Liquid disbanded in 1985 Dennis continued to record electronic music at his home studio in Edison,New Jersey but decided to mix the songs for \"Concepts\" at another studio in order to have another set of ears to help with the mixes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDennis teamed up with Andy Gomory, a true talent, a keyboardist and arranger, and hit it off immediately. Andy played drum machines and keyboards and Denis played percussion, keyboards, \u0026amp; guitar and both sang. When they parted ways in the late 1980's Dennis decided to add both drums and percussion as well as overdubs from guest musicians - many of which are included on this album. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe albums timeframe ends in 2004. The later recordings have a jazz feel to them yet still had dance music elements mixed in. The title track \"Primitive Substance\" really sets the tone as you hear the great playing of Michael Gribbrook on Frugel horn\/Trumpet and Gerry Carboy on bass. Also, \"Forgiveness\" has David Axelrod (not the famous one) playing beautiful melodic bass guitar thru out.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50383436644683,"sku":"1065261","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b20c1e50-80d9-47d3-9bef-cb374bbc3a37_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726269999"},{"product_id":"the-honeybear","title":"The Honeybear","description":"\u003cp\u003eAfter the success of \u003ci\u003eGalaxies Like Grains of Sand\u003c\/i\u003e, Warren and Greg retreated back to the Isle of Wight to start work on long discussed concept album based on a fictional children's book The Honey Bear. Each track a chapter of the book, hypnotic folk pieces mixed with ambient field recordings that Warren and Greg collected around the beaches, cliffs and gardens of the island. They brought everything together at home, organically forming this beautiful ambient folk tale during the island's idyllic summer evenings. After finishing the initial mixes on the island they brought the tapes up to Scotland and overdubbed with Strings, Oboe and Flute. Whether your 5 or 50, the charm and beauty of The Honeybear is undeniable, Children fairytale book concept album. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"166\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F344401756\u0026amp;show_artwork=true\u0026amp;color=f2667e\u0026amp;buying=false\u0026amp;theme_color=232323\u0026amp;font=Helvetica+Neue\u0026amp;show_user=false\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50384089514315,"sku":"1032901","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50384089678155,"sku":"1028732","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d99671df-af20-40fb-8549-01bf9c83e882_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726286643"},{"product_id":"cool-cool","title":"Cool Cool","description":"\u003cp\u003eA vibrant kaleidoscope of sound, colour and emotion, British multi-hyphenate James Alexander Bright's new album 'Cool Cool' is set for release on 26th July via Athens Of The North. A dynamic set of urgent funkers, gentle soul ballads, head-nodders, fuzzy folkers and straight-up disco bangers span 10 songs that soundtrack fertile daydreams, esoteric dancefloors, languorous reflection, and wild excursions in nature and beyond.\n\nJames' voice, pitched somewhere between Eddie Chacon, Beck and Michael McDonald, takes a confident lead on this new record. Whether tenderly caressing on the title track's beautiful soul minimalism or deployed passionately on boogie machine 'Straight Line'; it's an immediately recognisable signature. Impressive multi-instrumentalism sees him perform on guitar, bass, keys, programming, percussion, production and myriad quirky effects; across song subjects that cover searching for truth, imagining the distant future, teen nostalgia, relaxation exploration, aspirations of freedom, and classic tales of love and romance.\n\n\"'Straight Line' started out as a wonky homage to 80s \u0026amp; 90s radio\", says James. \"It's based on the memory of meeting someone you want to stay up all night listening to music with\". Disco highlight 'Your Love' is\"based on the feeling of love and chasing it. It has a certain kinetic charm but holds a melancholic note also\". Similarly, on soulful paean to romance 'Fall For You' James explains\"You know when you've loved. To love is a magical thing whether it's an experience, an object, or a person; we've all loved and lost\". \n\n\"'Cool Cool' is the most stripped back song I've ever written,\"he confesses.\"Recorded in one afternoon with no special effects or production tricks, it feels quite timeless\". In contrast the uninhibited 'Aguas Blancas' flexes with exuberance. James explains\"It's a homage to one of my favourite beaches on the island of Ibiza. I was imagining being there as I made this. What's not to like about big waves, a buzzing beach shack bar, and nudity?\".\n\nAs always with James' music, what started as a solo endeavour organically morphed into more of a family affair. Initially written and recorded at his home studio in the rolling hills of the Hampshire countryside, the tracks on 'Cool Cool' were completed in sessions with regular collaborator Peter Lyons in East London and Linkwood at Athens Of The North in Edinburgh. Old friends and new contribute vocals (Kerry Leatham and Katharine Alice), drums (Gillan McLaughlin and Joris Feiertag), and synths (Reuben Vaun Smith on 'Aguas Blancas'), plus collaborations with Wolverhampton electronic duo Letherette on 'I Feel Alive' and Ugandan\/Nottingham singer-songwriter and guitarist Daudi Matsiko on 'Hear'.\n\nJames says\"Some of these people I was in bands with as a kid, which is a pretty magical thing. I've been a fan of Letherette for years so it was a buzz when I asked Andrew to work on some tracks together and he was really into it. When Daudi shared a guitar part he wasn't sure what to do with on his Instagram stories, I messaged him to say \"I'll make a track out of this!\" and that then became 'Hear'\".\n\nThe past six years has seen James release a veritable treasure trove of music: 'Mallorca' and 'Strange Folk' EPs, debut album 'Headroom', joyous second 'Float', an album of collaborations and reworks with cosmic Americana-disco DJ\/producer duo Flying Mojito Bros, and a new project with Groove Armada's Tom Findlay as Bright \u0026amp; Findlay. \n\nJames balances music alongside the creative duality of a job in illustration and the responsibilities and constraints that come with raising a young family. Utilising any spare moment to write and record new ideas, his creative output under various projects had been relentless. Turning his back on apathetic major label offers in his early 20s, he's released through cult DIY label Tape Club Records, German stalwart !K7 Music and now with Scottish tastemaker Athens Of The North, presenting an evolving vision of a sound that has touched on everything from outsider art-rock to machine funk, mystic folk to experimental jazz.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50384199024971,"sku":"2209640","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_a1d4eee1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726290146"},{"product_id":"cool-cool-2","title":"Cool Cool","description":"\u003cp\u003eA vibrant kaleidoscope of sound, colour and emotion, British multi-hyphenate James Alexander Bright's new album 'Cool Cool' is set for release on 26th July via Athens Of The North. A dynamic set of urgent funkers, gentle soul ballads, head-nodders, fuzzy folkers and straight-up disco bangers span 10 songs that soundtrack fertile daydreams, esoteric dancefloors, languorous reflection, and wild excursions in nature and beyond.\n\nJames' voice, pitched somewhere between Eddie Chacon, Beck and Michael McDonald, takes a confident lead on this new record. Whether tenderly caressing on the title track's beautiful soul minimalism or deployed passionately on boogie machine 'Straight Line'; it's an immediately recognisable signature. Impressive multi-instrumentalism sees him perform on guitar, bass, keys, programming, percussion, production and myriad quirky effects; across song subjects that cover searching for truth, imagining the distant future, teen nostalgia, relaxation exploration, aspirations of freedom, and classic tales of love and romance.\n\n\"'Straight Line' started out as a wonky homage to 80s \u0026amp; 90s radio\", says James. \"It's based on the memory of meeting someone you want to stay up all night listening to music with\". Disco highlight 'Your Love' is\"based on the feeling of love and chasing it. It has a certain kinetic charm but holds a melancholic note also\". Similarly, on soulful paean to romance 'Fall For You' James explains\"You know when you've loved. To love is a magical thing whether it's an experience, an object, or a person; we've all loved and lost\". \n\n\"'Cool Cool' is the most stripped back song I've ever written,\"he confesses.\"Recorded in one afternoon with no special effects or production tricks, it feels quite timeless\". In contrast the uninhibited 'Aguas Blancas' flexes with exuberance. James explains\"It's a homage to one of my favourite beaches on the island of Ibiza. I was imagining being there as I made this. What's not to like about big waves, a buzzing beach shack bar, and nudity?\".\n\nAs always with James' music, what started as a solo endeavour organically morphed into more of a family affair. Initially written and recorded at his home studio in the rolling hills of the Hampshire countryside, the tracks on 'Cool Cool' were completed in sessions with regular collaborator Peter Lyons in East London and Linkwood at Athens Of The North in Edinburgh. Old friends and new contribute vocals (Kerry Leatham and Katharine Alice), drums (Gillan McLaughlin and Joris Feiertag), and synths (Reuben Vaun Smith on 'Aguas Blancas'), plus collaborations with Wolverhampton electronic duo Letherette on 'I Feel Alive' and Ugandan\/Nottingham singer-songwriter and guitarist Daudi Matsiko on 'Hear'.\n\nJames says\"Some of these people I was in bands with as a kid, which is a pretty magical thing. I've been a fan of Letherette for years so it was a buzz when I asked Andrew to work on some tracks together and he was really into it. When Daudi shared a guitar part he wasn't sure what to do with on his Instagram stories, I messaged him to say \"I'll make a track out of this!\" and that then became 'Hear'\".\n\nThe past six years has seen James release a veritable treasure trove of music: 'Mallorca' and 'Strange Folk' EPs, debut album 'Headroom', joyous second 'Float', an album of collaborations and reworks with cosmic Americana-disco DJ\/producer duo Flying Mojito Bros, and a new project with Groove Armada's Tom Findlay as Bright \u0026amp; Findlay. \n\nJames balances music alongside the creative duality of a job in illustration and the responsibilities and constraints that come with raising a young family. Utilising any spare moment to write and record new ideas, his creative output under various projects had been relentless. Turning his back on apathetic major label offers in his early 20s, he's released through cult DIY label Tape Club Records, German stalwart !K7 Music and now with Scottish tastemaker Athens Of The North, presenting an evolving vision of a sound that has touched on everything from outsider art-rock to machine funk, mystic folk to experimental jazz.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Tape.","offer_id":50384245817675,"sku":"2210845","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_14991c03_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726292003"},{"product_id":"am-funk","title":"AM Funk","description":"\u003cp\u003eTwo Killer unreleased Memphis deepfunk tracks from Benjamin Robinson of Coco and Ben fame's tape archive, working with Robert Garcia \u0026amp; Daniel Mathis on all of Bens tracks has been amazing, to find quality unreleased material is always the dream. 'AM Funk' is a driving disco tinged Sisterfunk club banger that I have been smashing dance floors with since I got the tapes transferred. On the flip 'Summer Rest' is a more floaty instrumental soul funk track, also rock solid. You know the score.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50389819982155,"sku":"2014546","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_f24993b9_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726373761"},{"product_id":"she-s-on-money","title":"She Is On The Money","description":"\u003cp\u003eDoug Payne is a graduate of LaGuardia High School of Music \u0026amp; Art (also known as FAME) in Manhattan NY, and Howard University in Washington D.C. He performed as a member of the Sister Sledge tour (\"We are Family\") has produced several recordings for quite a few East Coast acts and worked as the Music Director for The Dreamlovers, Eddie Holman, The Coasters and the house-band for the Atlantic City television show Chat-24.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe are happy to present two of his self released singles in full on one long 12\". She Is On The Money is a A+ Boogie floor filler this previously unreleased in this full version massive 15 Mins long mix direct from master tape. On the flip we have Doug's first single \u003ci\u003eHoliday\u003c\/i\u003e which was previously 45 only and very hard to find, plus some other mixes of \u003ci\u003eShe is On The Money\u003c\/i\u003e from a second tape, Heat!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\" - 1120775","offer_id":50390622044491,"sku":"1120775","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_9_fbe5911c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726392989"},{"product_id":"bobby-boyd-2","title":"Bobby Boyd","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe vocalist, saxophonist, composer and arranger Bobby Boyd, arrived in New York at a young age after completing his schooling in Augusta, GA. His musical adventures began in the mid-60s with the release of his debut single \"My Type Of Dancin'\" on Veep Records in 1965, a fledgling R\u0026amp;B subsidiary label of United Artists. Encouraged by their positive impact on his career, he went on to release his second single \"Whatcha 'Gonna Do About It\" on Bang Records in 1968.\n\nIn 1970, he formed the Bobby Boyd Congress and, feeling that the funk scene in America was over-saturated, took the decision to re-locate to Paris, France. In 1971, they released a single and an exceedingly rare self-titled album on the tiny private-press label Okapi Records, followed by a further single on Disc-AZ in 1972. After four years of life in Paris (where he was joined by touring artists such as the Ohio Players, Lionel Richie with the Commodores and Chaka Khan), Boyd returned to New York leaving the rest of the band to record as Ice (aka The Lafayette Afro Rock Band). \n\nOne day he got a lift from Jimmy Boyd, George Benson's manager, who introduced him to George at his home recording studio in the Bronx. The two got on so well that Benson became a life-long mentor and produced tracks which ended up being released in 1976 as a self-titled album on Tiger Lily. The label was basically run as a tax-scam and without promotion coupled with a tiny pressing run, it was pretty much doomed to instant obscurity. \n\nBobby was introduced to other outstanding artists such as Ralph MacDonald, Roberta Flack, Anthony Jackson, Steve Ferrone and Earl Klugh. As the 1970s came to a close, Bobby performed with artists such as Tony Silvester and Cuba Gooding (of The Main Ingredient) and Ecstasy, Passion \u0026amp; Pain. Athens Of The North have released previously unreleased material from this time, and here we continue to preserve Bobby Boyd's unique legacy and bring his music to a wider audience. \n\nTo this day, Bobby can still be found performing at some of New York's finest jazz clubs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50393199542603,"sku":"2046571","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_5521fcfd_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726413917"},{"product_id":"windows-of-my-mind","title":"Windows of My Mind","description":"\u003cp\u003eSometime in 1984, San Diego native Anthony \"Antone\" Williams found himself sitting alone at Pure Sound Studios, tinkering around with a drum machine. Eventually he landed on a \"sinister groove\" which would lay the propulsive foundation for his hauntingly melodic tour de force, \"Windows of My Mind.\" Released the following year as a seven-inch single on his own Unity Records label, the song features Antone's otherworldly production. Some have referred to the result as \"post punk soul,\" but we'll let you be the judge.\nComing up in San Diego in the Seventies, part of an extensive musical family, Antone's creative fuse was lit by the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind \u0026amp; Fire, and the Jackson 5.. At the age of 13, he was performing in area clubs, making a name for himself. By age 22, he had opened his own recording studio, Pure Sound. The influence of Sly and the Family Stone was decisive for Antone, who took to wearing a star-shaped gold necklace, not unlike the one famously worn by Stone on his epochal 1975 LP High on You.\n\"Windows of My Mind\" was Antone \u0026amp; The Underworld's sole release. Limited to 500 copies and handed out as a promotional tool for a purported album of the same name, the single didn't get much traction. (A story as old as time.) Perhaps the music was ahead of its time and Antone's visionary message will finally sink in 2023. \"I didn't want to make a song like Shake Your Booty\", he says now. And yet we think that this long-lost record with its \"sinister groove\" is eminently danceable, almost 40 years later. We challenge you to take a listen to this home-grown 1985 7\", remastered directly from the original tape, and make an assessment of your own.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50393200361803,"sku":"2046568","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_561fef6a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726413940"},{"product_id":"thumping-for-you","title":"Thumping For You","description":"\u003cp\u003eAnother two deepfunk\/soul tracks from Benjamin Robinson of Coco and Ben fame's tape archive. You might be forgiven for thinking is 45 is unreleased, but there is only enough copies of the original small hole pressing out there to count on one hand.\n 'Thumping For You' is a hypnotic floaty soulful funk banger with that catchy guitar that reminds you right away of the Coco and Ben connection, and the loose vibe just hits the dancefloor. \nBrandon's song keeps the hypnotic loose vibe going for the flip, I can see me late night dancing to this one outside in the hills this summer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50394715029835,"sku":"2056115","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_24d220e7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726446598"},{"product_id":"tonight-11","title":"Tonight","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe love to just try things at Athens of the North and when Clara and Theo (one of our PR friends) were chilling with us at pikes one evening it came up in conversation that Theo has a lovely singing voice and fancied having a spin in the studio. Roll on a month later, and they were home in Edinburgh, and we threw ourselves into a couple of days of experimenting, this little electro floater we were all super pleased with came out of the session. Tonight is a super late night CR78 drum machine mashed work out with a Theo's floaty falsetto smashing out the park, we flipped the OG with a brilliant dubbed out mix that's not to be slept on either.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\" - 2169121","offer_id":50396799238475,"sku":"2169121","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_9f527846_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726485465"},{"product_id":"traveling-home","title":"Traveling Home","description":"\u003cp\u003e1970, Ethel Agee, a local self-taught musician, and her two brothers Rev. Dorosco Scarber and Preston Scarber hit the studio and recorded Ethel's original composition 'Traveling Home\", a gospel piece that has remained under the radar until very recently . Ethel's on piano playing as her and her brothers' vocals soar above rock solid chugging funk drums, way ahead of their time. Please check out our mini documentary on YouTube: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FEri6p7gVC0\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50397566140747,"sku":"2002620","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_6_9e185299_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726490663"},{"product_id":"i-would-have-to-be-a-fool","title":"I Would Have To Be A Fool","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen Ben White was 25 years old Eddy Bongo Brown of the Funk Brothers brought him to Motown to play with Marvin Gay, 5 years later he recorded this single 'I would have to be a fool' and released it himself. Ben comes from a long line of musicians in his family, his cousins are Cab Calloway and Otis Redding. \n\nOver the years he sessioned for Marvin Gay, Bloodstone, Carl Carlton, High Energy, Harold Johnson, J.W. Alexander, Richard T \u0026amp; The Salsoul Orchestra\n\nUnfortunately, as is often the case, children came along and Ben moved away from music, this and forthcoming AOTN single 'Give Me Love' were his only solo recordings unless we can find the tapes of his lost LP further down the line.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50398933320011,"sku":"2173666","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_0c30e7f1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726499822"},{"product_id":"love-is-the-same","title":"Love Is The Same","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmazing floaty modern soul \/ disco goodness out of late 70s Queens, NY. 'Love Is The Same' two brilliant and different versions, both dancefloor fire…\nMark Beiner met Ben Iverson in 1976 when I was 17 years old, at the time he was a junior at Newtown High School in Elmhurst, Queens. Mark had taken a part time job as a Produce Clerk at Walbaum's Supermarket on Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights, Queens, where I met Ben Iverson, the \"Frozen Food Manager.\"\nBack then Mark remembers, 'I was going to work early just to talk to him about his musical background and his time spent in the 50's and 60's with the Ohio Doo Wop Group, \"The Hornets\", or better known as, \"Ben Iverson and The Hornets.\"'\nIn 1978 after Ben and I discussed getting together and composing music, I started writing poetry and expressing in writing my break-up with my college girlfriend, Paula. Ben and Mark went on to writing two albums worth of material, which in turn gave us a lot of time and presence on stage at our live gigs.\nThe regular Coast to Coast Band members consisted of Ben Iverson on Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitarist and Co-Executive Producer, Joe Crowley, who is known today as \"New York Congressman Joe Crowley.\" Carl (Woody Wood) Morton on Bass Guitar, Jimmy Johnson on Keyboards. Lead Guitarist, Lou Jimenez, currently owns his own recording studio, Music Labs in Elmont, Long Island. On Drums, Eddie Byam, on Alto Sax, Jay Cohen, who in the 70's used to record for \"Gary U.S. Bonds.\" Gary Pevols on Trumpet. On Bone, Scott Burrows, Trumpet player, Steve Becker, along side Neil Levine, Stan Stockley, Tom Russo.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50399044665675,"sku":"2173669","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_189757af_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726501005"},{"product_id":"changes-15","title":"Changes","description":"\u003cp\u003eEvery now and again, a record carves itself an indelible place in the history of a place, a scene or a genre, all under its own steam – without a big budget, without a press campaign, without mainstream radio, just by hitting all the right notes at the right moment. Maybe you had to have been there to really feel it – locked into the pirate stations, a regular at the right clubs, or leaning on the counter in the right records shops on a Saturday afternoon – but if you were, there are some tunes that will always vibrate with the underground cultural energy of their time.\n\nBô'vel's 1996 Manchester streetsoul anthem 'Check 4 U' is one of those tunes. The kind of song that makes the over-used phrase 'underground classic' mean something again, it effortlessly distills the sounds of its era into one of the most undeniable, genre-spanning cuts of the mid-1990s. The song resonates with the regional flavours of UK sound-system culture: the sweet club sound of Manchester's vibrant streetsoul scene, the dubwise hip-hop throb of the Bristol movement, and the bass-lore of the reggae sound systems whose wisdom stretched from Leeds to South London and beyond. Built around a humid kick drum and a bin-busting bass pulse arranged in head-nodding syncopation, the song is blessed with an instantly memorable harmonised hook, and perfectly set off by Bô'vel's crystalline vocals. Upful, stepping and tinged with melancholy, it remains one of the most well-loved and highly sought-after UK streetsoul sides.\n\nThe three mixes of 'Check 4 U' appeared as the a-side of a blank-label five-track 12\". It was Bô'vel's second release, after a soulful five-track EP issued in 1995 on her own Bô'vel Records had been a surprise success. Produced by Kev Waddington, that initial record had come about almost by accident after a chance encounter in Manchester's HQ Studios, as Bô'vel recalls today: 'We were making these five tracks because we were having bit of an argument with radio not being able to play what they wanted, really, only what the record labels wanted… they never had anybody coming through properly, because everything was pretty much underground. We were making records, like really pop stuff, to take the piss… So in the studio one day, this guy came in – all I know is that his was name was Nigel. And he came in and said, I want to put that five-track EP out with you. We just don't know who the hell he was to this day, really. And he said, you've got to do it 50\/50, it's going to be £1000. So I said okay – I just trusted him. I gave him 500 quid. He gave me 1000 records. He just dropped them at the studio. I picked them up and then I went into Manchester city centre and gave it to a couple of DJs on underground radio.'\n\nPirate radio loved it. With play on stalwart Manchester pirates like Buzz FM and Soul Nation, the EP immediately blew up. Bô'vel took the record into Fat City Records, Manchester's premier outlet and distributor for soul, hip-hop and dance, who took a batch, quickly sold out and took several hundred more copies; it eventually transpired that a large quantity were selling to Japan, where the combination of soul smarts and classy production had been caught by discerning ears. Elsewhere, friends distributed the record by hand in London and Birmingham, working them through UK's then burgeoning network of independent dance music shops.\n\nThe warm reception the record received encouraged Bo'vel to return to the studio for sessions that would become 'Check 4 U'. The EP had been issued under a Bô'vel Records imprint, but she had sold it to Fat City without disclosing that she was the artist – 'I said, \"There's this singer, she's great, she's done this cheesy stuff, try it, it's a bit Kylie Minogue\". He said \"oh, give us 300\", and then he had some more.' For the next release, she decided to keep things completely minimal. 'The next one, I said, right, let's just put it out as a white label, and if people like it they like it, they don't have to see who we are or anything.'\n\nThough punitive legislation and overexposure had tamed rave culture, and the inflated status of superstar DJs had pushed once underground scenes fully into the mainstream, dance music culture in mid-1990s Britain still retained a certain feral energy. There was still a groundswell of vital local scenes and rapidly changing musical styles, and – combined with local record shops – clubs and pirate radio were still the chief arbiters of influence. 'In the 90s, pirate radio just played the best music. I mean, you couldn't really get music like that anywhere. The same as you couldn't get music like that [being played] in the Reno, which was very different,' remembers Bô'vel, referring to the legendary Moss Side soul club, an underground institution from 1962 until its closure in 1986. 'That's where music really started for me, going to clubs like the Reno at the age 15, 16, 17, and going to places like the Nile [upstairs from the Reno], which was all reggae, you know – that's really where the beats came for me.'\n\nThe production on the new record would reflect these influences more than the EP had been able too. 'I liked a big bassline,' the singer reflects. 'There's a big bassline there on the five-track EP, 'I Can't Get By', which is a really, really good song, but they just could not get the bass – I was so gutted when that came back…if they'd have shown us the master we'd have said no.' These problems were to be avoided on 'Check 4 U' by the involvement of producer Uriah Gale. 'We already had the tune, and Uriah came on board, and I said, it's just not soulful enough. I was working with Kev Waddington, and he said \"I just can't do it.\" So when Uriah came along, the bass was there, but he tidied it all up and made it really cool, and he was tremendous on the harmony,' she recalls. 'Out of all the mixes, his was the best. He was incredible to work with, and also incredibly talented.\n\nWith alternate mixes of 'Life Changes You' from the 1995 EP as the b-side, 'Check 4 U' was\n\nissued with blank blue labels and sent out with a DJ one-sheet describing Bô'vel as 'Manchester's favourite soul Diva'. 2000 copies were pressed, and the record was distributed by Jetstar. It quickly became another pirate radio hit. 'Soul Nation and Buzz FM did support me from the very start [along with] every single DJ on Manchester radio,' she recalls, 'They're my biggest fans, the DJs here, I've got to big them up!' Manchester's support was mirrored by pirates around the UK. 'We had the support of radios across the country – I just could not believe it. So we went on a tour… We would go to the pirate stations, do an interview, then do a gig – that's how the gigging came about… gigging in Birmingham, Huddersfield, Liverpool, London – I've got so much respect for the pirate radios down there. They were brilliant… We used to take all my stuff straight to London,' she remembers. 'Each radio was doing pretty much the same thing, in their own style, with their own beats. Like, when I went down to Bristol, I showed them the EP and 'I Check 4 U' and they said, hey girl, you've got the Bristol beat!'\n\nBut her core audience was at home in Manchester. 'London did support me a lot, but not like my home town – they loved me as I love them… Manchester supported me through and through, to this very day,' she remembers. Performing in mid-1990s Manchester was not always straightforward, though: 'In Manchester, it was kind of hard to do gigs, because there was a bit of gang warfare. So, you know, that was a problem. You'd be doing a gig and they'd all be there in their [bulletproof] vests, you know, Cheetham Hill and Moss Side, and it was a bit of a nightmare. And because I was more Manchester side, even though I went to school in Cheetham Hill, I was with a guy from Moss Side. So it was pretty hard gigging in Manchester, I had a bit of a hard time.' Nevertheless, 'my gigs were packed to the rafters…I wasn't scared because I knew I had protection. The gigs were fantastic, here in Manchester and everywhere, and I'm glad and very grateful to be able to say that.'\n\nA further single followed – the garage-flavoured 'Earthling', made with producer Ben Stansfield – but this would be her final release. 'My life changed,' she remembers. 'I had a split… I was just bringing my daughter up. I used to live in the countryside, and I was having a bit of a different life… I just spent a lot of time writing when I split up – I couldn't sing, it was like my voice wouldn't work. I was just thinking all the time, and not speaking. So I was just speaking through my music… I just became a writer, and I was more looking for other people to sing the [songs], you know? Because there's a lot of talent here in Manchester.' However, she retained access to a studio, and over time she began to record again, working with various producers and amassing a large amount of material.\n\nIt is this unreleased material that we collect on Life Changes – nine unheard Bô'vel songs from the period 1997-2008(dates?), selected from her own archive. Until now, none of this unreleased work has been heard. Not an artist to be constrained by genre, the music showcases Bô'vel's exploration of a wide range of styles, from the dubbed-out downtempo of 'My Man' or 'I Wanna Be Free' to the updated streetsoul of 'Let Down And Liar', via the breakbeat hype of 'Do It Your Way' and the straight-ahead reggae vibe of 'Daydreamer'. This unreleased music is presented alongside the unfadeable 'I Check 4 U' and two classic streetsoul cuts from her 1995 EP, 'Life Changes You' and 'Coming Back'. The common denominator across the album is of course Bô'vel herself: a singer of rare timbral clarity whose musical vision has determined the sound of every record she has made, a prolific and personal song-writer in the UK soul tradition, and the artist behind one of the most celebrated underground soul tunes of the pirate radio era. Still most definitely someone to check for.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50399341412683,"sku":"2175241","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_e9e38d50_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726504624"},{"product_id":"fall-for-you","title":"Fall for You","description":"\u003cp\u003eMulti-hyphenate artist James Alexander Bright releases soulfully tender paean to romance 'Fall For You', backed with urgent funker 'Viper Flames'. This new music heralds James' third solo album, currently being recorded and mixed, which is planned for release via Athens of the North mid 2024.\n\nOn 'Fall For You' James says \"You know when you've loved, to love is a magical thing. Whether it's an experience, an object, or a person; we've all loved and lost. The senses, vibration  and elements have a wondrous strength and power. Love is the most powerful of all.\"\n\nFollowing the release of !K7 debut album 'Headroom' (\"Blissful choruses, sweetly nagging refrains and a lo-fi sensibility. Hard not to love\" Mojo), James featured on Groove Armada's album 'Edge Of The Horizon', contributed 'Under The Sun' to the Too Slow To Disco: The Sunset Manifesto compilation and released single 'It's Alright' with Feiertag. His second album, the joyous 'Float' (\"Vivid intermingling of buoyant breakbeat drum loops, sunkissed psychedelic folk song, retrofuturist synthesisers and hot buttered British soul\" Test Pressing), was released in July 2022 with singles 'Drink This Water', 'Wheels Keep Turning' and 'Sundown' feat Fink paving the way. This was followed in early 2023 by 'Mirage In The Mojave' (\"One hundred percent proof dancefloor ready\" Louder Than War), an album of collaborations and reworks with cosmic Americana-disco DJ\/producer duo Flying Mojito Bros. On radio his tracks have been played across BBC 6 Music (where he's recorded guest mixes for Tom Ravenscroft and Huey Morgan), Amazing Radio, Bandcamp Weekly, Worldwide FM, Soho Radio, KCRW, Triple J and BBC Solent (who chose his track 'Tigers Roar' to soundtrack Portsmouth FC's 2019 journey to Wembley – awkwardly James is a Saints fan).\n\nA new project with Groove Armada's Tom Findlay as Bright \u0026amp; Findlay - married around their shared love of machine-led funk, outsider soul, 70s-80s nautica and 21st century basement disco - was released via Athens of the North in summer 2023. Solid tastemaker support included BBC 6 Music's Gilles Peterson, who included 'Slow Dance' amongst his tracks of the year, and Huey Morgan, for whom the duo recorded a Block Party mix.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50399565087051,"sku":"2176891","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_b896cc0a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726506429"},{"product_id":"changes-17","title":"Changes","description":"\u003cp\u003eEvery now and again, a record carves itself an indelible place in the history of a place, a scene or a genre, all under its own steam – without a big budget, without a press campaign, without mainstream radio, just by hitting all the right notes at the right moment. Maybe you had to have been there to really feel it – locked into the pirate stations, a regular at the right clubs, or leaning on the counter in the right records shops on a Saturday afternoon – but if you were, there are some tunes that will always vibrate with the underground cultural energy of their time.\n\nBô'vel's 1996 Manchester streetsoul anthem 'Check 4 U' is one of those tunes. The kind of song that makes the over-used phrase 'underground classic' mean something again, it effortlessly distills the sounds of its era into one of the most undeniable, genre-spanning cuts of the mid-1990s. The song resonates with the regional flavours of UK sound-system culture: the sweet club sound of Manchester's vibrant streetsoul scene, the dubwise hip-hop throb of the Bristol movement, and the bass-lore of the reggae sound systems whose wisdom stretched from Leeds to South London and beyond. Built around a humid kick drum and a bin-busting bass pulse arranged in head-nodding syncopation, the song is blessed with an instantly memorable harmonised hook, and perfectly set off by Bô'vel's crystalline vocals. Upful, stepping and tinged with melancholy, it remains one of the most well-loved and highly sought-after UK streetsoul sides.\n\nThe three mixes of 'Check 4 U' appeared as the a-side of a blank-label five-track 12\". It was Bô'vel's second release, after a soulful five-track EP issued in 1995 on her own Bô'vel Records had been a surprise success. Produced by Kev Waddington, that initial record had come about almost by accident after a chance encounter in Manchester's HQ Studios, as Bô'vel recalls today: 'We were making these five tracks because we were having bit of an argument with radio not being able to play what they wanted, really, only what the record labels wanted… they never had anybody coming through properly, because everything was pretty much underground. We were making records, like really pop stuff, to take the piss… So in the studio one day, this guy came in – all I know is that his was name was Nigel. And he came in and said, I want to put that five-track EP out with you. We just don't know who the hell he was to this day, really. And he said, you've got to do it 50\/50, it's going to be £1000. So I said okay – I just trusted him. I gave him 500 quid. He gave me 1000 records. He just dropped them at the studio. I picked them up and then I went into Manchester city centre and gave it to a couple of DJs on underground radio.'\n\nPirate radio loved it. With play on stalwart Manchester pirates like Buzz FM and Soul Nation, the EP immediately blew up. Bô'vel took the record into Fat City Records, Manchester's premier outlet and distributor for soul, hip-hop and dance, who took a batch, quickly sold out and took several hundred more copies; it eventually transpired that a large quantity were selling to Japan, where the combination of soul smarts and classy production had been caught by discerning ears. Elsewhere, friends distributed the record by hand in London and Birmingham, working them through UK's then burgeoning network of independent dance music shops.\n\nThe warm reception the record received encouraged Bo'vel to return to the studio for sessions that would become 'Check 4 U'. The EP had been issued under a Bô'vel Records imprint, but she had sold it to Fat City without disclosing that she was the artist – 'I said, \"There's this singer, she's great, she's done this cheesy stuff, try it, it's a bit Kylie Minogue\". He said \"oh, give us 300\", and then he had some more.' For the next release, she decided to keep things completely minimal. 'The next one, I said, right, let's just put it out as a white label, and if people like it they like it, they don't have to see who we are or anything.'\n\nThough punitive legislation and overexposure had tamed rave culture, and the inflated status of superstar DJs had pushed once underground scenes fully into the mainstream, dance music culture in mid-1990s Britain still retained a certain feral energy. There was still a groundswell of vital local scenes and rapidly changing musical styles, and – combined with local record shops – clubs and pirate radio were still the chief arbiters of influence. 'In the 90s, pirate radio just played the best music. I mean, you couldn't really get music like that anywhere. The same as you couldn't get music like that [being played] in the Reno, which was very different,' remembers Bô'vel, referring to the legendary Moss Side soul club, an underground institution from 1962 until its closure in 1986. 'That's where music really started for me, going to clubs like the Reno at the age 15, 16, 17, and going to places like the Nile [upstairs from the Reno], which was all reggae, you know – that's really where the beats came for me.'\n\nThe production on the new record would reflect these influences more than the EP had been able too. 'I liked a big bassline,' the singer reflects. 'There's a big bassline there on the five-track EP, 'I Can't Get By', which is a really, really good song, but they just could not get the bass – I was so gutted when that came back…if they'd have shown us the master we'd have said no.' These problems were to be avoided on 'Check 4 U' by the involvement of producer Uriah Gale. 'We already had the tune, and Uriah came on board, and I said, it's just not soulful enough. I was working with Kev Waddington, and he said \"I just can't do it.\" So when Uriah came along, the bass was there, but he tidied it all up and made it really cool, and he was tremendous on the harmony,' she recalls. 'Out of all the mixes, his was the best. He was incredible to work with, and also incredibly talented.\n\nWith alternate mixes of 'Life Changes You' from the 1995 EP as the b-side, 'Check 4 U' was\n\nissued with blank blue labels and sent out with a DJ one-sheet describing Bô'vel as 'Manchester's favourite soul Diva'. 2000 copies were pressed, and the record was distributed by Jetstar. It quickly became another pirate radio hit. 'Soul Nation and Buzz FM did support me from the very start [along with] every single DJ on Manchester radio,' she recalls, 'They're my biggest fans, the DJs here, I've got to big them up!' Manchester's support was mirrored by pirates around the UK. 'We had the support of radios across the country – I just could not believe it. So we went on a tour… We would go to the pirate stations, do an interview, then do a gig – that's how the gigging came about… gigging in Birmingham, Huddersfield, Liverpool, London – I've got so much respect for the pirate radios down there. They were brilliant… We used to take all my stuff straight to London,' she remembers. 'Each radio was doing pretty much the same thing, in their own style, with their own beats. Like, when I went down to Bristol, I showed them the EP and 'I Check 4 U' and they said, hey girl, you've got the Bristol beat!'\n\nBut her core audience was at home in Manchester. 'London did support me a lot, but not like my home town – they loved me as I love them… Manchester supported me through and through, to this very day,' she remembers. Performing in mid-1990s Manchester was not always straightforward, though: 'In Manchester, it was kind of hard to do gigs, because there was a bit of gang warfare. So, you know, that was a problem. You'd be doing a gig and they'd all be there in their [bulletproof] vests, you know, Cheetham Hill and Moss Side, and it was a bit of a nightmare. And because I was more Manchester side, even though I went to school in Cheetham Hill, I was with a guy from Moss Side. So it was pretty hard gigging in Manchester, I had a bit of a hard time.' Nevertheless, 'my gigs were packed to the rafters…I wasn't scared because I knew I had protection. The gigs were fantastic, here in Manchester and everywhere, and I'm glad and very grateful to be able to say that.'\n\nA further single followed – the garage-flavoured 'Earthling', made with producer Ben Stansfield – but this would be her final release. 'My life changed,' she remembers. 'I had a split… I was just bringing my daughter up. I used to live in the countryside, and I was having a bit of a different life… I just spent a lot of time writing when I split up – I couldn't sing, it was like my voice wouldn't work. I was just thinking all the time, and not speaking. So I was just speaking through my music… I just became a writer, and I was more looking for other people to sing the [songs], you know? Because there's a lot of talent here in Manchester.' However, she retained access to a studio, and over time she began to record again, working with various producers and amassing a large amount of material.\n\nIt is this unreleased material that we collect on Life Changes – nine unheard Bô'vel songs from the period 1997-2008(dates?), selected from her own archive. Until now, none of this unreleased work has been heard. Not an artist to be constrained by genre, the music showcases Bô'vel's exploration of a wide range of styles, from the dubbed-out downtempo of 'My Man' or 'I Wanna Be Free' to the updated streetsoul of 'Let Down And Liar', via the breakbeat hype of 'Do It Your Way' and the straight-ahead reggae vibe of 'Daydreamer'. This unreleased music is presented alongside the unfadeable 'I Check 4 U' and two classic streetsoul cuts from her 1995 EP, 'Life Changes You' and 'Coming Back'. The common denominator across the album is of course Bô'vel herself: a singer of rare timbral clarity whose musical vision has determined the sound of every record she has made, a prolific and personal song-writer in the UK soul tradition, and the artist behind one of the most celebrated underground soul tunes of the pirate radio era. Still most definitely someone to check for.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50399706874187,"sku":"2176898","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_9141fb1b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726507477"},{"product_id":"foxy-lady","title":"Foxy Lady \/ Jesus Going To Clean House","description":"\u003cp\u003eUnreleased lo-fi goodness from the Lee Tracy \u0026amp; Isaac Manning catalog with a little drum work in the studio from ECLA to give it a little more oomph. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlipped with \"Jesus Going To Clean House\", one of the most popular tracks from the LP, a track is so insanely good I had emails from heads who refused to believe it was not a concocted fake rarity, but no, this is the real deal and on 45 now, one time deal 500 only, pic sleeve, you know what to do.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50400984498507,"sku":"2185074","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_909afcdb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726517827"},{"product_id":"be-there-in-the-morning","title":"Be There In The Morning","description":"\u003cp\u003eAthens of the North are proud to present Renée Geyer's modern soul masterpiece \"Be There In The Morning\". \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecorded in the USA early 1977 but only released as a single in Australia how this was not a worldwide hit is beyond us. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the flip we have the impossibly rare 1976 version recorded in Australia before Renee headed to the USA. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTimmion Cutting Laboratory did the lathe work so it's cut loud and deep, sounds amazing, an essential 45 for disco or modern soul heads.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50400989708619,"sku":"2185060","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_f6af5b85_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726517897"},{"product_id":"without-you","title":"Without You","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWithout You\u003c\/i\u003e is the second release from Athens of the North house band, it's a lovely deep house side with obvious influences. \u003ci\u003eWithout You\u003c\/i\u003e came together while warming up some new gear that had landed in the studio during lockdown and as often happens when you're not trying too hard something just comes together. For the vocal we had a multitrack tape of Avelino Pitts from the band Gold (Sadly he passed a few years ago) and Edinburgh singer Lucy (more to come from her soon). While we may be known for disco and funk AOTN crew grew up in the early 90s, so house is our bread and butter, so you will be hearing more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the flip side is something we have been wanting to do for some time, I always loved Mary Love's \u003ci\u003eCome Out Of The Sandbox\u003c\/i\u003e but felt the structure of the track was a little tricky to play out. We went ahead and restructured the track as well as adding synth parts and created a 12-inch mix that never was (but should have been). We brought to the mix to Ady Croasdell at Ace Records (who currently own the rights) and asked if he would let us release the track legitimately, thankfully Ady liked it and kindly gave us the green light, so delighted that it's not only out but licensed correctly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\" - 1120771","offer_id":50401402487115,"sku":"1120771","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"love-of-mind","title":"Love of Mind","description":"\u003cp\u003eHot Hot two-sider AA side William Stuckey action on this killer 12.\nSome house business from Athens of the North studio band East Coast Love Affair sampling William Stuckey's 'Love of Mine' and taking it on a deep tip, people asking about this one at all our gigs so we decided to cut it to a fat 12\" and release.\nOn the AA flip Athens of the North good friends Flying Mojito Bros insane flip of Williams Stuckey's 'Country People takes' the track to a whole new place. The boys remix has been proving a big party record for those with digi promos, their banger of a mix takes all the elements of the OG track and adds some super extra 70s bump to the OG. Legit!!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\" - 2190767","offer_id":50402036384075,"sku":"2190767","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_2297b1ab_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726529503"},{"product_id":"the-paralian","title":"The Paralian","description":"\u003cp\u003eAndrew Wasylyk is the alias of Scottish writer, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Mitchell.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 2018, Andrew was extended a residency invite from arts centre and historic house, Hospitalfield, Arbroath, Scotland to create new music for their restored, 19th century, Erard Grecian harp. During Wasylyk's five-month sojourn he created melodies and progressions echoing the building's unique relationship with the looming North Sea horizon. Using not only the harp, but the house's original grand piano, Andrew explored the Angus landscape and beyond, gathering field recordings on trips to neighbouring Seaton Cliffs and Bell Rock Lighthouse (the world's oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse). Winter slipped into spring, and harp-led compositions gave way to an ambitious third, full-length album, exploring a range of themes utilising a broad palette of instrumentation, including flugelhorn, euphonium, oboe, string trio, vintage synthesisers, drones and upright piano.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"From the wandering, Bob James-esque, Fender Rhodes and shimmering strings in the study of coastal light, \"(Welter) In The Haar\", to the plaintive brass and farewell transmission blowing through, \"Adrift Below A Constellation\", punctuated by the fragility of Wasylyk's sole lead vocal of this collection - \"The Paralian\" (a dweller by the sea), is a conclusion embued with blue and golden melodies that land in a territory akin to experimentalists such as Robert Wyatt and Brian Eno. Through which, Wasylyk weaves the listener along a Modern-classical, Ambient and Jazz dream of Scotland's east coast.\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAthens Of The North team were stunned by the luminous beauty and creativity at play in this work. Falling between genres and time, it stands next to 60s British Jazz, effortlessly blending notes of Library and soundtracks with dashes of British Folk\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50402310160715,"sku":"1055699","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50402309865803,"sku":"1055698","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/c072d876-56ad-41b0-af08-3e78ac035db4_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726540301"},{"product_id":"love-of-mine","title":"Love Of Mine","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis first ever re-release of William Stuckey's extremely rare southern soul LP. When Brian Sears told me William was still with us and living locally I was shocked that nobody had spoken to him up till now. Not only that but he still had the multitrack tapes at his house.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnfortunately the tapes were in a bad way and needed some serious work. Our good friend Dan at Audio Archiving Services in Holywood went above and beyond to restore the tape in small sections (despite baking it was still oozing gunk onto the tape transport and heads) then joining the audio back together perfectly. I know not many people would have gone to this trouble and I'm grateful as this music had one last chance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mix down at AOTN studio is brighter and clearer than the o.g whilst being true to the original mix, William was over the moon with the result when he heard it and we are excited to bring it to Vinyl, CD and Digital\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpecial thanks to Brian, Dan and Linkwood for the work on this project. Securing special music for the future is what we do and we just caught this one in time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50402311307595,"sku":"1112672","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b18cefca-8595-424e-b5bf-f8231be1553b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726540349"},{"product_id":"off-piste","title":"Off Piste","description":"\u003cp\u003eGreg Foat has always had a great reverence for the musicians that featured on the records he has collected over the years. Whether they were players from the great European library catalogs, Italian soundtracks, American Jazz but most of all British Jazz. One of his all-time favourites being the beautiful tone of Art Themens Saxophone…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter Art had played on a few sessions for Greg both were keen to record an LP together. Plans were hatched during lockdown and everyone headed to Edinburgh as soon as allowed, to an unassuming metal door that leads to a renowned studio with a large live room with a stunning Neve desk. Chamber Studio has a long Edinburgh heritage, known for recordings from Mogwai to everyone's favourite The Vaselines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGreg \u0026amp; Art wanted to do something experimental so they brought in an interesting and challenging mix of new musicians along with a large pile of synthesizers and effects pedals. The result is a fantastic melting pot of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic ideas and motifs. \u003ci\u003eOff-Pisté\u003c\/i\u003e is a masterpiece!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50402329723211,"sku":"2021729","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_1_4335170c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726541443"},{"product_id":"love-goddess","title":"Love Goddess","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis month we have what is the start of a string of previously unreleased bangers from the soul, funk and disco legend Bobby Boyd, we have been working on this for a long time and really proud to be working alongside Bobby representing him. First up we have Love Goddess, a floaty driving disco soul number thats bound to get some spins by the Northern boys as well as deep disco heads, i know its been doing this business when i play it, On the flip and classic horn driven Funky soul in Bobbys Classic style and solid songwriting, Essential. If your not a rare soul or disco collector Bobby's name might not be a name your familiar with but as one of the founder members of Lafayette Afro Rock Band you will have experienced his music and influence which is far reaching.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\" - 1042048","offer_id":50406807830859,"sku":"1042048","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"is-it-what-you-want-2","title":"Is It What You Want?","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe rarest and best genuinely outsider soul 45 to come out of America (I know that's a controversial shout), Lee Tracy's super rare single outing from the outskirts of Nashville is a dream of something bigger that never came in time for him. A beautiful, haunting song cut to cassette with help from his friend Isaac Manning (on the Casio). Flipped with an almost unrecognizable version of Whitney Houston's hit \"Saving All My Love For You\" which stands all tall as what was the original B-Side. Beyond essential cut of outsider soul.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50413798850891,"sku":"2197989","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_febf9de8_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726677391"},{"product_id":"i-cant-wait","title":"I Can't Wait","description":"\u003cp\u003eEast Coast Love Affair is back with a 9-minute epic late-night mid-tempo deep disco chugger featuring Shetland-born and Edinburgh-based R\u0026amp;B Singer and songwriter Philomenah. Hanna (Philomenah) has done some great backing vocals for ECLA in the past but takes front-and-center Vocal and lyric writing duty on this Epic 12\". It's Like a modern-day Onda with a sprinkle of pop. \n\nOn the flip two percussive house dub workouts with maybe a little hint of MAW 90s major label work (we have been revisiting these in the club recently) with our own Athens of the North studio special sauce.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":50416197173579,"sku":"2169120","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_c8290e91_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726698149"},{"product_id":"nathan-bartell","title":"Nathan Bartell","description":"\u003cp\u003eHailing from the small farming town of Ashburn, GA (population roughly 4400) noted as the \"Peanut Capital of the World\", young Nathan Bartell had grown up around music, playing trumpet in the school band and jazz band. After graduating from high school in 1962, Bartell moved to Atlanta where he found and enjoyed a thriving music and night club scene, catching then local acts such as Gladys Knight, The Tams, as well as the many touring acts that came through town and played clubs like The Palladium, The Pink Pussycat, The Casino and The Royal Peacock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA collector and DJ from Dallas, Texas, Chad \"High-C\" Burnett of Rehash Media, first exposed Bartell's \u003ci\u003eTop Going Down, Bottom Going Up\u003c\/i\u003e in the Excavations section of the Rehash web site in December of 2001. For all intents and purposes, the 45 had been unknown to collectors but caused a quite a stir while everyone who heard it searched for more copies. The 45 remained out of reach until February of 2004 when noted British collector\/DJ Ian Wright turned up a copy and began to play the 45, giving it further exposure by way of a radio show featured on the deepfunk.org web site.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50417375969611,"sku":"1118318","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50417376100683,"sku":"1118319","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"rock-on-1","title":"Rock On","description":"\u003cp\u003eHot on the heels of the well received Dirty Channels Vs Danny Russell 'Watchin Out\/ Frazelle 'Today Is The Day' (Linkwood edit), we bring you more twelve inch heat. This time in the shape of an unreleased nugget from funk and soul legend, Bobby Boyd, the founding member and lead singer of Bobby Boyd's Congress - who metamorphosed into The Lafayette Afro Rock Band, after Bobby's departure in 1971. On the A-side, producer and engineer extraordinaire Bob Blank - who's worked closely with the likes of Arthur Russell, Taana Gardner,Sun Ra, Larry Levan and Kid Creole - turns out a mix that hits the sweet spot between boogie and proto-house with a hint of Latin freestyle. Whilst the flip sees darting synths and swirling pads layered over a tight machine groove, as Bobby reminds us of the simply joy that dancing can bring.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":50417463853387,"sku":"1046187","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_1_bb959ca7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726730147"},{"product_id":"black-fairy","title":"Black Fairy","description":"\u003cp\u003eHoly Grail Jazz Funk Chicago Musical reissued for the first time. Origianl first edition artwork in Hand Made Tip-on Sleeve. First Ever Release on CD. 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the production of the Black Fairy album. We began on the journey in 1975 to produce the album following the successful production and tour of the jazz funk musical. My first call for consultation was to one of my mentors, the late, legendary Oscar Brown Jr., for his advice. My second call was to the late Paul Serrano, owner of P.S. Recording Studios. Paul, a former trumpeter with Count Basie, agreed to personally engineer the album. I was also able to assemble great musicians such as the amazing Chico Freeman, Anthony Llorens and Jerry \"Jami\" Johnson to support the incredible singers from the original cast of the play. I must mention Patricia Crawford the Black Fairy; Masequa Myers the Queen Mother; Denise Llorens as Black Bird; Vincent Hardman as Johnny; Barry Ray as Uncle Remus and the vocals of Gregory Curry. The continued positive impact of the songs after all these years on so many generations are testimony to the extraordinary talent assembled for this project. \"Black Fairy\" is a fairy tale, but not in the traditional sense. When writing this play, I did not want to re-create the types of fantasies which are so common in children's theater. There is no kind of magic that can relieve Black children from the oppression that retards their development. However, I do feel giving them a better understanding of their heritage can help them achieve their true potential. And those of us who are concerned with their development should try to expose them to knowledge that gives them a positive sense of identity. Although I do feel a children's play should be entertaining, I also feel it should be educational. Also, because there are so few children's plays which reflect the Black Experience, I wanted to write a play that Black children could identify with. \"Black Fairy\" is a musical drama about a Black Fairy who lacks pride in herself and feels she has nothing to offer Black children. But when she meets Black Bird and Queen Mother (who take her to ancient Egypt, East Afrika, a southern slave plantation and the streets of Harlem) she begins to get a better understanding of her heritage. Her journey through the past enables Black Fairy to meet Aesop, Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Uncle Remus, Stag-o-lee, Leadbelly, and many other characters in Black folklore and Black history. At the end of her journey, Black Fairy realizes that \"being Black is nothing to be ashamed of\" and is then able to share her knowledge with other Black children. Even though Black Fairy doesn't completely resolve her dilemma, having a knowledge of her heritage does give her more confidence to cope with the future. It is only fair to mention that \"Black Fairy\" would never have come to life if it were not for the creative directorship of Pemon Rami and the music composed by Tony Llorens and Jerry Johnson. These people, more than anyone else, have made Black Fairy the success it has become. I also feel that without the full support of Better Boys Foundation and its Board of Directors, the production and this album would not have been possible. \"Black Fairy\" was the second play at the LaMont Zeno Community Theater, a cultural program of the Better Boys Foundation, a family agency located in North Lawndale in Chicago. Many of the youngsters who perform in the play are members of our Youth Theater Development Program which is partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Under the capable guidance of Pemon Rami and his staff, we were able to take youngsters who had no previous theater experience and train them to become competent performers and also to teach them other technical theater skills. The result of this effort has made \"Black Fairy\" a favorite among both children and adults who have had an opportunity to see it. During the summer of 1974, \"Black Fairy\" was performed for over four thousand children in Chicago. And in April 1975, it played to over two thousand children in Detroit at Mercy College. \"Black Fairy\" is only the first of many children's plays we hope to produce at the Better Boys Foundation. There is an Afrikan proverb which says: \"Children are the reward of life\". We at Better Boys Foundation are dedicated to this belief, and feel that helping children to appreciate their heritage is one means of showing our concern for their development.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50417465524555,"sku":"394266","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50417465786699,"sku":"394265","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_feebbb78_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726730183"},{"product_id":"slow-dance-2","title":"Slow Dance","description":"\u003cp\u003eTom Findlay (Groove Armada) and James Alexander Bright's relationship started on Twitter (a place where hope usually goes to die) However, Tom had listened to James' recent release on the radio reached out to chat about working together on some tracks. Over a few months in the studio they created a mountain of work, some of which would feature on Groove Armada's recent 'Edge Of The Horizon' album.\n\nHaving enjoyed working together so much, they decided to start their own project and Bright \u0026amp; Findlay was born. The first track they worked on together is featured as the lead on this 12\" was 'Slow Dance' Funky party track with its feet firmly in 80s boogie territory and. Following tracks \nseemed to interweave \/ play alongside each other. Drums machine \/ chorus laden synths and guitars, and a soulful vocal are a staple of their sound. \n\n\nWhen Tom and James sent the EP over I was down from 20 seconds into the first track, 80s Boogie, Tangerine dream, Disco rap style rhythms yet totally their own thing. Slow dance was one of those tunes I could see myself dropping mid-set when I want to cool it down and focus the room again, dance floor fire.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50417466081611,"sku":"2056125","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_d460d333_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726730202"},{"product_id":"leon-gardner-s-igloo-records","title":"Leon Gardner's Igloo Records","description":"\u003cp\u003eDancer and B3 Hammond player Leon Gardner moved from his Texas to Los Angeles sometime in the mid '60s. Soon after arriving he set up his own Igloo records. While in LA, Gardner befriended arranger and pianist Arthur Monday, Monday had settled in LA with his friend and co-musician Gabe Fleming, and they shared arranging credits for a few of the Igloo releases. Fleming was credited for 'Farm Song' while Monday was credited for 'Honest Song' on the flip. 'Igloo Records' ie Leon Gardner was credited as producer. In reality, it's likely that the three of them worked together on both sides of the record and others on the label. Leon also arranged and produced other bands on the label such as the deep soul classic by the Jhamels 'I've Cried' and Wallace Petty Combo's Petty Cash but never reached the success he had hoped for. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA decade later and Gardner became frustrated by his lack of recognition, and became increasingly more reclusive, which in turn led to a rift between him and his family. Drummer Edward 'Apple' Nelson (see Tracks 2 and 12), remembers his first impressions of Leon, \"I met Leon a few times here and there as him and Monday were real tight. I didn't get to know him that well or nothing as he could came across as very much into his own thing\". Leon's son Darrell recalls his father's music, saying \"I always knew his music was special even back then and am truly surprised that he never really got any recognition for it until now\". \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLooking back, LA bandleader Charles Wright concurs, \"We didn't think of him as being very significant but I guess he was. He did come out with some good lyrics\". As well as his other 45s released on Igloo, there were other recordings made for several other independent labels between 1965 and 1974, after which Gardner seemed to disappear under the radar.. The general consensus is that he is currently was no fixed address and living somewhere in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, yet all attempts to contact at this point were unsuccessful. This Leon Gardner \/ Igloo records LP was originally a project Gerald Short of Jazzman Records. Gerald worked on this over 10 years ago and spoke to many involved with the label who are no longer with us. He finally managed to track Leon down to a care home in LA but unfortunately, Leon passed away soon after Gerald reached out to him. Gerald decided not to continue with the LP out of respect, the information and text here is kindly supplied by Gerald so thanks to him for that.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50417466769739,"sku":"2201464","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50417466573131,"sku":"1117373","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Leon_Gardners_Igloo_Records_9c55e54b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726730235"},{"product_id":"money-wont-change-you","title":"Money Won't Change You","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis month we have three beautifully pressed mostly unreleased Ike Noble 45s with o.g style silver Ink overprinted labels, they look just \nSide A on this 45 is a killer previously unreleased cover of James Brown's classic \"Money Wont Change You\" stepping up the pressure with The Uptight's on backing smashing it out the part, it probably outdoes the JB version.\nOn the flip, it's Big Boy\/Girl ballad time. Stunning unreleased deep soul. Sweet Deep soul heads will hoover this up so be quick.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50418594939211,"sku":"2200283","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_49d10707_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726742120"},{"product_id":"its-bad","title":"It's Bad","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis month we have three beautifully pressed mostly unreleased Ike Noble 45s with o.g style silver Ink overprinted labels, they look just\nOn side A we have the only previously released (but very rare) track on these three 45s. A brilliant, mid-tempo soul chugger that falls between Syl Johnson and James Brown, undeniable, how this did not blow up at the time is beyond comprehension.  \nOn the flip, it is Deep Soul time again with a version of 'Best of Luck to You', also recorded by Sam baker and Earl Gaines, but easily toping both.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50418598740299,"sku":"2200280","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_c6574edf_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726742142"},{"product_id":"good-thing-3","title":"Good Thing","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis month we have three beautifully pressed mostly unreleased Ike Noble 45s with o.g style silver Ink overprinted labels, they look just\nOn side-A we have the only previously released (but very rare) track on these three 45s. A brilliant, mid-tempo soul chugger that falls between Syl Johnson and James Brown, undeniable, how this did not blow up at the time is beyond comprehension.\nOn the flip, HUGE deepsoul anthem 'Look a Little Higher' was release at the time but is mad rare, again a hit that never made it. Solid Gold!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50418608537931,"sku":"2200274","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_f4e46cc1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726742216"},{"product_id":"live-at-the-quarter-moon-2","title":"Live at the Quarter Moon","description":"\u003cp\u003eRoland Haynes Jr and his group Phenix released just a single 45 on their eponymous label:the sophisticated modern soul cut 'Mind Games', with a dapper jazz ballad,'The Essence of Jai' as the flipside (coming soon on the studio LP). Until now, that 1983 single has been the sole material trace of both band and artist. But like many dedicated musicians who follow their own path outside of the music industry, Haynes understood his musical worth, and the quality of his band. He had documented his work at key moments, laying down carefully worked out studio sessions and recording packed-out live gigs. The recordings that we present here are drawn from Haynes' personal archive.\nThis first collection presents a selection of the many live recordings made by Phenix at Quarter Moon club in Orangeburg, South Carolina. This allows us to listen in as Haynes'abundantly talented band stretches out on a tight selection of originals and covers. Together, these sets allow Roland HaynesJrtofinallystakehisclaim to a place alongside the most forward-thinking jazz and soul artists of his era.\nCovers of Marvin Gaye, Santana, Hubert Laws \u0026amp; The Jeff Lorber Fusion as well as originals.\n500 Copies Only Double Vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50421646688587,"sku":"2223123","price":28.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_791cf588_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726759227"},{"product_id":"musica-para-todos-2","title":"Musica Para Todos","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur close friend and fellow Scot, now Ibiza resident, Pikes resident DJ and island favourite, 'For Mankind' (Russ Forman) had talked about doing a studio collaboration for some time. Last winter, we finally managed to get in the studio and make some music. \n\nDrawn upon our mutual loves of house music, dub and weirdo dance music by the likes of African Head Charge, Larry Heard and Sun Ra. We also added sprinkles of influence from other oddball tracks that make up our more interesting sets. We spent hours just pulling and listening to records from all our collections and talking about music before hitting the studio.\n\nWhat resulted from the session is a beautiful and exciting blend of everyone's taste - dreamy, minimal, almost techno synthscapes, New York oddball house that sounds like some lost Sleeping Bag test press to almost Música Popular Brasileira. \n\nAt one point Russ, (For Mankind) grabbed the mic and hit us with his best pidgin Spanish, this snowballed onto a few more tracks, so we felt it only right the LP should also bear his name. Russ' vocal came as a surprise to us all, loose, funky, wild and carefree, (like the man himself), with positivity and a message: This music is for everyone. We should all work together, help and contribute. \n\nOur good friend Hanna (Philomenah) also brings her giant talent on Brazilian influenced 'I Can't wait', expect to hear a lot more from this Shetland-born singer on Athens of the North and elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50421700329803,"sku":"2223069","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_e6ab7f0d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726759671"},{"product_id":"love-explosion","title":"Love Explosion","description":"\u003cp\u003eStraight up disco banger that is way beyond most paycheques on 45. As featured on the Numero Group compilation Ultra-High Frequency's. Numero actually just beat me to a punch doing a deal on this. I has spoken to Donnell loads, he always seemed to be in a restaurant car park when I called, he was always happy to sing down the phone and talk about his recordings but we never got round to signing a deal. Anyway back to the record, if you don't know this buy it and if you do you already got it in your bag. Disco \/ Modern royalty\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50424281661771,"sku":"1031441","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/85f1bd77-758f-4a89-988c-d1905bb5979a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726776288"},{"product_id":"underground-resurrection","title":"Underground Resurrection","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis one is a Huge funk45 monster that's even getting love from the soul heads for the strong vocals and nice changes. A messy funky piano driven piece produced by George Reneau and release on the American Mutual Group Label out of Cincinnati, OH. This one used to be a big spin for me (I got it while it was unknown and cheap) and always works the dancefloor. We seem to have a lot \u003ci\u003elot 'Resurrection' \u003c\/i\u003ein recent band titles for that I apologise, I know it gets confusing just buy them all!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50424282775883,"sku":"1164911","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"disco-with-a-feeling-david-haffner","title":"Disco With A Feeling","description":"\u003cp\u003eDavid Haffner compiled album. So what is Disco With A Feeling? It's hard to quantify a sound, but our definition would include 70s Soul or Modern Soul 45s that fit into the disco sound, soulful and magical. The whole LP is straight up dance-floor fire, no matter who you are or where you're from - a soul boy, disco lady, or a house head you are going to feel the heat of these club smashers. it features cuts from Cloudburst, Benita, Darrell Johnson, Bordeaux, Love Company and more.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP | x2","offer_id":50424708497739,"sku":"1078031","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50424705417547,"sku":"1078030","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_2_3e63e570_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726781683"},{"product_id":"got-the-love","title":"Got The Love","description":"\u003cp\u003eHUGE 45!! after last months Memphis 7\" (the same band) we have here 2 unreleased Homegrown Syndrome tracks rescued from an acetate in Jerry Jones attic . Double sided Disco funk burners all the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHome Grown Funk was also known as \u003ci\u003eHomegrown Syndrome\u003c\/i\u003e, a controversial name bestowed to them. Before heading to LA they gigged all over Memphis. Some of the members were from an earlier 70s group called \"Brothers Unlimited\" and had earlier ties during the 60s with the \"Memphis Invaders\" (a peaceful civil rights activist group).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith aspirations of pushing Homegrown further, a few members including Jerry Jones made the move out west. It was LA 1977 when they were introduced to Ike Tuner through a mutual friend \"Ricky G\". It was a casual meetup. Then one night Ike had his son Ike Jr. go check them out while performing at the Soul Train hangout spot \u003ci\u003eMaverick Flats\u003c\/i\u003e. Ike Jr. praised their performance to Ike and he had them come out to his Inglewood studio. The group walked into the studio with a funky track already playing and that's when Jerry Jones improvised this opportunity and started singing. Ike then turned and said… \"Who is that singing?\" Jerry said, \"Thats me.\" Then Ike replied \" YOU BIG MUTHAF***A! You could be my new Tina.\" From that point the group cut bunch of tracks with Ike over the years up until they're feature on his 1980 album \"The Edge.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1981 Perry Kibble (Keyboardist for Taste Of Honey) was at \"Concerts In The Park\" and heard Home Grown Funk performing. He linked up with the group and got them a deal with Arista. During this time they recorded their hit track \" Confrontation.\" Perry suggested that the group change their name because he didn't want another group with the work \"Funk\" in it and hence \"Homegrown Syndrome.\" They also use the Arista studio to cut an unreleased acetate with tracks \"Got the love\" and \"Party Vibes\" which we have here\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50426020561227,"sku":"1146736","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"a-minute-too-late","title":"A Minute Too Late","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor the second AOTN 12\" this month we got another smasher, when we landed the united Spirtual Singers over lockdown we were lucky enough to get multitracks so East Coast Love Affair and love time friend of the label Tom Noble got to work\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide A - We decided to go full on front room Sylvester vibes on this, what initially seemed to be an easy job turned into months of work, session musicians when we were allowed and arguments over vocal timings, but nothing good is easy won and we are proud of this. On the flip our good friend Tom Noble calmed the situation down a bit with a tasty New York version of the track, and big up to him for doing this while fighting through his shop flooding and a new opening of his superiorelevation.com shop in Brooklyn.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50428617294155,"sku":"1151843","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"love-is-a-heartbreaker","title":"Love Is A Heartbreaker","description":"\u003cp\u003eSelma's own Doctor T, a.k.a. Lenoah Presley Strong, a.k.a. Rick Strong, was a fierce Selma talent, he could pick up any instrument and play it and was always playing local clubs. Lenoah came from a large musical family, his Dad, a professional gospel singer, would mentor him and his brother, who ended up recording on Malaco Records and has an underground classic - \"Doing It Cause It Feels Good.\nLenoah split his time between the historic community of Selma, AL, where he was born, Beverly Hills, CA where he worked as an auto body hand alongside his older brother, Chuck Strong, a musical force in his own right. In California, T impressed the great Willie Hutch with his playing, rubbed elbows with soul icons such as Leon Haywood and Carl Carlton.\nAthens of The North is proud to present a compilation of Doctor T's 7\" Recording, all have been difficult to find on original vinyl even to the most avid collectors, most notably \"Love Is A Heartbreaker,\" which is one of the best ballads and grittiest recordings ever laid to wax.\nT recorded all of the instruments himself and had an ear like no other, always listening to music and drawing inspiration from his surrounding artists and musicians. Sadly, T passed away in 2021 at the age of 68 but leaves us some timeless Funk \u0026amp; soul that will endure\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50431959171403,"sku":"2165122","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_1ddc5fe1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726861375"},{"product_id":"take-them-in-prayer","title":"Take Them In Prayer","description":"\u003cp\u003eBorn the seventh child and the youngest of Rev. and Mrs. Clougies Young in the city of Lake Charles, La.Raised in the Church of God in Christ in Lake Charles, La. Earl began singing in church as early as six years of age.\nHe performed in my church choir and high school Gospel Choir in San Francisco under the mentoring of Professor Johnny Land.\nBefore forming his own group Earl did background vocals for Patti Labelle's song Quiet Time in 1978 after which he formed his small group and recorded this one solitary single in 1983.\n\nProbably one of the finest gospel bangers every cut to vinyl, that's all that needs said.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50432293634379,"sku":"2165229","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_88fda0c1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726866781"},{"product_id":"straight-line","title":"Straight Line","description":"\u003cp\u003eElectro-boogie-machine 'Straight Line' is taken from 'Cool Cool', the upcoming third album by British multi-hyphenate James Alexander Bright. \"'Straight Line' started out as a wonky homage to 80s \u0026amp; 90s radio\", says James. \"It's based on the memory of meeting someone you want to stay up all night listening to music with\". \n\nJames' passionate voice, pitched somewhere between Eddie Chacon, Beck and Michael McDonald, takes a confident lead over a melange of body-popping LinnDrum beats, a host of swooping, fuzzy synths, and backseat-rocking bass. Initially written and recorded at his home studio in the rolling hills of the Hampshire countryside, 'Straight Line' was completed with regular collaborator Peter Lyons in East London.\n\nIt's backed on 7\" vinyl with the wonky dancefloor wobbler 'Oh My', sounding something like Theo Parrish producing Arthur Russell after a sleepless night.\n\nThe past six years has seen James release a veritable treasure trove of music, including 'Mallorca' and 'Strange Folk' EPs, debut album 'Headroom', joyous second 'Float', an album of collaborations and reworks with cosmic Americana-disco DJ\/producer duo Flying Mojito Bros, and a new project with Groove Armada's Tom Findlay as Bright \u0026amp; Findlay.\n\nJames balances music alongside the creative duality of a job in illustration and the responsibilities and constraints that come with raising a young family. Utilising any spare moment to write and record new ideas, his creative output under various projects had been relentless. Turning his back on apathetic major label offers in his early 20s, he's released through cult DIY label Tape Club Records, German stalwart !K7 Music and now with Scottish tastemaker Athens Of The North, presenting an evolving vision of a sound that has touched on everything from outsider art-rock to machine funk, mystic folk to experimental jazz. \n\nA dynamic set of urgent funkers, gentle soul ballads, head-nodders, fuzzy folkers and straight-up disco bangers; album 'Cool Cool' is set for release on 26th July via Athens Of The North.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50432414744907,"sku":"2203507","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_c0225933_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726868335"},{"product_id":"confrontation-5","title":"Confrontation","description":"\u003cp\u003eHomgrown Syndrome is a strong two sided major label banger that has been heavily in demand (therefor expensive) for the last 8 or so years. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA banging disco funk A side flipped with a deep quality 70s soul stepper, it's a no brainer. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50434436333899,"sku":"2185070","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_1_1d9f7905_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726888851"},{"product_id":"just-a-touch-2","title":"Just A Touch","description":"\u003cp\u003eOver the past few years, London based DJ and curator Sam Don has shone new light into the Reggae sub-genre of Lovers Rock with his comps 'For the love of You'. His deep, yet deeply accessible selections have opened the ears of many to the genre. \n\nWith this new compilation 'Just A Touch' Sam shines his torch even deeper, this time through crates of UK Underground Soul. He painstakingly researched and tracking down each producer to bring you some of the sweetest soul cuts that will ever grace your eardrums.\n\nSam Don explains: Whilst the US is most well-known for soul music, the UK has created its own take on the genre, due to the melting pot of cultures and musical styles that makes the UK so special. I didn't 'set out' to make a compilation like this, but one night an idea came to me, and I sketched it out at home with my record collection. When I saw how well these sounds came together, I started my mission to find the people involved with them and 'Just A Touch' was created.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50434681930059,"sku":"2096977","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50434680914251,"sku":"2096961","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_107759dc_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726893071"},{"product_id":"the-sands-of-zanzibar","title":"The Sands of Zanzibar","description":"\u003cp\u003eLeonard Grandsons 'The Sands of Zanziibar' is a classy, extremely rare floater which has remained extremely elusive despite having a sound which could make it an extremely popular spin for soulies, disco and rare groove heads.\nSteve Trebbin believes it was recorded in 1977, the studio was in Hollywood not far from the Capitol Records building, Tal Armstrong's office was next to it. Steve recalls a story, \"I went into the Capital records offices one time to pitch Leonard to them. I mentioned how much he sounded like Stevie Wonder. After listening, they agreed he sounded very much like Stevie - with a smile they told me they already had one.\". Big thanks to Daniel Mathis and DJ Mr Big Happy for helping track down Steve.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50434975138123,"sku":"2096913","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_df09f76b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726897641"},{"product_id":"everyone-needs-someone","title":"Everyone Needs Someone","description":"\u003cp\u003eLeroy Tucker- known simply as L.T. on the scene-and his band the Soulful Dynamics super rare funk 45. The band was a rotating combination of McClyde Sheely, Melissa Riley, Melvin Ausbie, Eric Williams, Collier Carruthers, Lee Berry, Virgil French, Walter Atchinson, and Charles Wakefield. Despite infectious horns and L.T.'s impassioned delivery, neither \"Crazy About You Baby\" nor \"Everybody Needs Somebody\" made a dent locally or otherwise. Like all of the Solo platters, the Soulful Dynamics record was manufactured at Monarch in Los Angelas. Dick Smart fondly recalls picking up the record at the Wichita Greyhound station with an excited L.T. in tow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50435342467403,"sku":"1031440","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/962ff352-2024-4cff-a282-dafb87fd8944_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726902586"},{"product_id":"bip-bam","title":"Bip Bam","description":"\u003cp\u003eBill Browns super rare Brownstone release is one for the deep heads, less well known than label mate 'Everyday People' but just as rare and collectable. Shuffling sunshine soul its all about the groove and feeling. 500 copies only. One for the heads. Bill Brown and Al Hall jr met around 1971, they were both in south central L.A and shared the same apartment building, also in the same building was Doug Carn and brownstone singer billy Wilson. These studio sessions were done at Paramount studios Hollywood where Al Hall jr was working for producer Art Smith a\u0026amp;c music. The main distributor for A\u0026amp;C was Accent records.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50435391193419,"sku":"1042051","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"say-it-with-feeling","title":"Say It With Feeling","description":"\u003cp\u003eA solid two sider for your soul box from the Old Town vaults, 'Say It With Feeling' is a great mid tempo soul track which i have used as a warm up track for many years and had remained popular on the soul circuit as well. For me the real magic happens on the flip. 'Conscience' is a haunting mid tempo off-kilter number, memorable in the extreme, challenging to work it into a set, a charming, fascinating record, no wonder it was a huge popcorn spin in belgium. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Athens Of The North","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50435393159499,"sku":"1028730","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/531ea1d9-60cb-4cf0-9337-caea32303d05_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726903061"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_23cd6a08_thumbnail_4096_5749802f-56cf-4b26-aa5f-cdfe711550a6.jpg?v=1726269975","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/athens-of-the-north.oembed?page=11","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}