Athens Of The North Vinilo y CD

Review: British multi-hyphenate James Alexander Bright is soon to return with his third album and ahead of that you can get a taste of what to expect in the form of this irresistible electro-boogie banger. 'Straight Line', says Borght, "started out as a wonky homage to 80s & 90s radio" and is "based on the memory of meeting someone you want to stay up all night listening to music with". His voice takes the lead with LinnDrum beats and wispy synths, lithe pads and a slapping bassline. It's sultry, steamy and sure to get temperatures rising. 'Oh My' is a superb jazz-funk workout in a late-night Theo Parrish style.

Review: The relentless Athens Of The North is having a busy month even by its own high standards. February alone has at least three new 45rpms dropping and this might be the best: Homegrown Syndrome were a band that ended up in LA but giggled all round Memphis. Some members had played with an earlier band but they all came good on these previously unleashed tunes that have been found in the attic of Jerry Jones. 'Got The Love' is a chunky funky stepper with swirling synths and disco energy. 'Party Vibes' then takes off once more on hip swig claps, big arching chords and strident drums.

Review: Crystal Winds is best known for a supreme and sophisticated funk and soul album that was released in 1982 on the Cash Ear label. The tunes from it have never reportedly been on 7" before, so the Athens of the North label boss made it his mission to right that wrong. This one offers up some hugely classy soul sounds for more tender DJ sets or lazy Sunday listening sessions. 'So Sad' is awash with golden chords and intimate, spoken word exchanges between lovers, and on the flip 'Maybe What You Do Comes Back On You' slows down even further, sinking you deep into the richness of the arrangement.

Review: Little is known about Friction Band's hyper-rare 45" besides the fact it's a brilliant example of outsider, slightly experimental style of modern soul, it's passed hands for strong triple figures in recent years and it's just been injected with a whole new lease of life by Fryer. "Watchin' You" is a footloose boogie jam with unabashed use of freeform keys while "To The Sky" flips for a softer, more sentimental soul affair that's fringed by just the right amount of dreamy cosmicity. Another precision find by AOTN.

Review: Athens of the North has a famously busy rate of release and so it is no surprise that they keep that up even in the first months of the year. A slew of singles and an album are all dropping at the same time and this is one of them - yet another gold standard reissue, this time of Charles Barnwell's band The Funnybone Express. This 7" is a superb bit of deep funk with hints of modern soul that were huge back in the day and are sure to be so all over again now.

Review: The supply of superlative sounds from Athens Of The North knows no bounds - rarely does a week go by with out the well regarded reissue label coming thorough with yet another obscure, forgotten, overlooked or rare gem that has is immediately fall in love. Falling into those categories again is this 7" 'The Sands of Zanzibar, Pt. 1' from Leonard Grandson. It is a floating groove that will swells the heart and is super hard to find in original form. It is thought to be from 1977 and was recorded in a Hollywood studio. Leonard sounds not unlike Steve Wonder and really hits a sweet spot on this one.

Review: Athens Of The North celebrate the longstanding contributions of host, presenter, writer, personality and occasional singer Bernard "Spider" Harrison. Recorded sometime around 1970, and fetching large triple figures between collectors, the feel good bluesy soul cut "Beautiful Day" first landed on Lulu Records and has barely seen the light of day since... Until now. And it's loaded with a never-before-released drum cut. Don't sleep, though. Only 500 of these have been pressed.

Review: Some boogie collectors go weak at the knees at the mention of Christopher Jay's 'What Do You Want Me To Do', a superb single from 1987 that's long been near impossible to find. This isn't that gem, but something arguably even more exciting: some previously unreleased business from the same obscure, overlooked artist. 'Be My Lady' dates from a similar period and sees Jay sing swooning words to a member of the opposite sex over a sunny and kaleidoscopic blend of rubbery bass, clipped guitars and shiny synthesizers. Flipside 'Come Out Tonight' is rather tasty, too. Slower and even warmer, it sits somewhere between 80s soul and yacht rock.

Review: Hurrah for a new one from the ever-excellent Athens of the North label. This time the disco and funk maestros look to a hidden gem from the band Premonition. This group was also sometimes billed as Premonitions, but were always on form. This cut is a modern soul dancer that is pretty impossible to find in its original form and kicks off with an A-side that is a well-crafted proto-disco track. Flip it over and you will be rewired with a more sweet and soulful jam that borders on cheesy but strikes a delicate balance and offers exhilarating crescendos. It's a delightful journey worth exploring, particularly for those who appreciate soulful nuances.

Review: Athens Of The North has never been shy in putting out music. The label is always working on a wealth of different projects it seems and this month drops a couple of very tasty - as per usual - 7"s. Rivage was a leading band in the 70s modern soul scene and one long loved by the Athens label head. He put out a first-ever reissue of their Sit-in On It LP last year and now serves up some of the singles from it, namely the flute-led joy of 'Strung Out On Your Love' and 'All My Love For You,' a comforting soul tune with swirling grooves and classic falsetto vocals. Lovely stuff.

Review: Athens Of The North's faultless run continues with this fresh new 7" from the United Spiritual Singers, about whom we know nothing. It is their one and only release on Discogs and it is from this year, which is remarkable given the authenticity of these super sweet and heart-aching soul sounds. A-side 'Not A Minute Too Late' is a bustling disco number with a funky rhythm section and big, characterful horns powering the groove along. The flip side is a slow, sultry number with plaintive chords and rich backing vocals adding a buttery feel to this real melter.