Athens Of The North 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Georgia troupe Star Quake gave the world just one record... And boy is it special. Slick pumping disco funk with focus, momentum and shimmering chimes on the chords as the track climaxes, there's an air of Stevie to the vocals and unashamed funk throughout. So good it comes in two parts, there's a reason original copies of this have passed hands for almost $2000 in the past.

Review: Christopher Sprains and The Strange Band recorded a whole heap of material in a hazy, drug-fuelled 19178, but their - surprisingly - never gained enough traction with the NYC disco crowd. Perhaps this work was too ahead of its time and, while it does share some qualities with the music of Rick James, it contains something dark, sexy, a little bit twisted and, of course, strange. The lead track "You" is a synth-heavy, electrifying boogie cut with a rugged percussion swing and an air of post-punk to its mix down, not to mention those utterly freaky vocals; our favourite, though, is actually "Space V", an insanely nutty electro cut that would have undoubtedly been on The Electrifying Mojo's playlist should it have landed on his lap. Totally recommended...

Review: It will shock no one that this week along, Edinburgh based label Athens of the North has a wealth of great new music out. This 7" is another one from William Stuckey. The last one came last year but sadly, only after the man himself had passed away. But they follow it up with another gem that comes with the blessing of the man's family. 'Everything That's Good In Life' has never been released before but is as good as his material gets and is sure to become another classic. ON the reverse is an alternate 7" mix of 'Hold Me Close' that cuts deep.

Review: Produced in 1986 by one Willie Harpe, 'Give It Up' was originally written by TL ('Tom Lipkins'), a fake moniker for little-cited artists George Mahood and Soul Sam. Never before seeing the light of day, it's a testament to just how little talent corresponds with recognition in the music market - this is heartbreaking music, produced with the utmost quality. 'Give It Up' combines loose drumming and a misty, boxy reverb on the master to produce a red-lit mood of sultriness, as TL wails and belts over a dozy soul groove. 'Let's Talk It Over', meanwhile, is a stunning lullaby for breaking up to make up.

Review: A true Texan soul rarity, Athens Of The North have outdone themselves in reissuing this word-of-mouth classic. Trace Of Smoke's only single under the name, 'U.R.', originally came out in 1982 on the tiny friends-and-family-run Austin label B.J. Records. However, legend has it that the song might have existed up to a decade earlier. Being the first Black band in Austin to play white clubs in the 1970s, only the vaguest memories of their performances of 'U.R.' and 'Treasure Mind' survive, lending to the exorbitant prices fetched by the original pressings. Disco-soul fusion of peak quality, from the band later known as Karizma.

Review: A record unlike any other, 'Is That What You Want' is a fascinating slice of what some might call 'outsider soul', but even that label can't do full justice to the music here. Part of a wholly unrecognised community of DIY musicians living in East Philadelphia in the 1980s, Lee Tracy and Isaac Manning were a vocal, instrumental and production duo whose efforts flew sorely under the radar at the time that they laid these slick slices of experimental joy to tape. Bleeding a shocking transfusion of gospel, electro, lo-fi, funk and soul, this is a worthy slice of Afrofuturism existing outside the jazz connotation. "We never went to no studio," retorts Manning, showing off the pair's homespun ingenuity. Bolstered by a slew of DIY videos shot in Lee's front garden, this has everything from black Southern IDM to machine-glitched proto-raps. It deserves all the recognition it can get.

Review: Volume One of For the Love Of You was an instant hit and so it makes sense the irrepressible Athens of the North label has come back with a second volume. Once again this is a collection of soul covers featuring interpretations of Grover Washington Jr., Midnight Star, Meli'sa Morgan and Simply Red and loads more. The music is golden, the soul vibes rich, and the new styles brought to these classics is instantly appealing in a whole new way. As alwayss, this is another superb release from Athens of the North.

Review: .Athens of the North has been a buy-on-sight for years. The Edinburgh-based soul, disco and funk reissue label rarely ever misses and does some of the most tireless digging in the game as this latest 7" shows. It is a spotlight on one of the best tunes made by Anthony Brightly while working with a young Wendy Walker. 'We've Got One' is dub tinged slow-motion funk with a glorious vocal, and on the flip is Legal Assault's 'Nice & Slow'. This one is also from the Sir George label and a sensuous deep soul and lo-fi gem with steamy vocals and lush chords.

Review: Another week brings another monster new 45 from the incomparable Athens of the North. This time out it is an early 80s bit of irresistible gospel, disco and boogie from Earl Young. 'Take Them In Prayer' is pure gold thanks to its tight and funky rhythm section, the delicate thinking on the keys and the heart aching vocals of earl Young that soar up top. Flip it over and on the reverse of this one and you will find 'Let Him Be Your Everything,' a quiet love song with only melancholic keys for company. It's the complete opposite of the a-side but is just as devastating for different reasons.