We 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.

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2023 Starts with a doubler sided disco action from East Coast Love Affair - Taking the vocal from obscure Minneapolis lo-fi band 'Quiet Storm' master tape (Big up Numero Group) and building a whole new deep disco 45. 'Get Down' is deep dance floor chugger using the O.G studio gear that would have been used at the time, strictly analog business. On the flip, 'Can You Deal' is a more uptempo boogie joint. Both killers as always. Lots more from ECLA this year!!

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L.A. Boogie super rarity by the elusive, Ben White. The 12" is known among many Disco and Boogie collectors and was reissued as a 45 by AOTN a while back. The much rarer (and better) 45 has remained in the hands of a few lucky or wealthy deepfunk collectors. This recording actually came from our good friend Andy Noble, who has helped us out on a lot of musical mission missions. Two sides of brilliant modern soul / boogie.

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Sonlight were originally known as The Elements, formed at Patrick Henry Junior High school, Cleveland, ohio. in the late 60s. The Band leader was Mark Anthony, with members Ulysses Barnes, Enos Scott, and Ronald Sims. Mark sang and wrote most of the songs with help from the band members. They cut their first single for Del-Nita Records in 1970 after which moved to Soul Collector favourite Saru records, recording a few nice singles for the label. In 1974 they released "Spinning Top" on Atlantic Records under the band name Moving Violation, after which a another name change leads us to Sonlight and this single which was originally recorded released on the Spearhead label. Modern Soul, Disco heads have always coveted this rare single, reissued here for the first time, in hand made sleeve for this press only.

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Jacksonville finest, The Fruit band's unreleased disco LP was released a few years ago on Athens but after many requests we are dropping a couple of 45s. This 45 comes in a hand made folder cover with help from an original press shoot of the band we had on file. One-time press with the picture sleeve, beautiful. Disco royalty.

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Derwin Daniels, Soprano Sax player and composer, made this little R&B 45 in 1989. Recorded with vocals by the unfortunately passed away La Donna Wells who brings a Mary J Level performance 3 years before "What's The 411" hit the streets. Slick, deep R&B that's soulful enough for modern soul and disco sets, what's not to love. Flipped with some Jazz Bizznes from Derwin, utter gold!

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Killer wonky modern soul / disco out NYC written by Producer Alan Jones. Rathen than put the instrumental on the flip same as the og, we opted to put a mix with a lower vocal on the B-side, mostly because we wanted a mix to play out ourselves, killer modern 45, do it!

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Insanely good almost completely unreleased Jazz funk LP from Roland Haynes Jr. (They released just a single 45 included here from the tapes). Think undiscovered James Mason, and you'll be half way there, even by our high standards, this LP is HUGE. 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 of studio recordings that were for the most part unreleased.

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Roland 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.

This 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.

Covers of Marvin Gaye, Santana, Hubert Laws & The Jeff Lorber Fusion as well as originals.

500 Copies Only Double Vinyl.

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On this new ATON 12" we have two very different beast, basement or bigroom, both sampling a rare disco 45 by Sass Band called 'Where Is the Love'. Side A is another East Coast Love Affair outing, a super deep druggy disco burner for the heads, we need to make more of these. To counteract the A side on the flip we have a full on late 90s style party banger that will deffo get some asses moving (and some beard strokers crying). Kevin McCullagh (BDK) sent me this last year (or possibly the year before) and gave me the idea for this 12, it took some time to track down the licence but with some help Julien (Waxist DJ) andPascal. at Pusher distrubtion we were a le to clear the sample which was super appreciated. Get it, pick your side, rock the party.

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A 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. James' 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.

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Electro-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 & 90s radio", says James. "It's based on the memory of meeting someone you want to stay up all night listening to music with". James' 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. It's backed on 7" vinyl with the wonky dancefloor wobbler 'Oh My', sounding something like Theo Parrish producing Arthur Russell after a sleepless night.


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This month we have three beautifully pressed mostly unreleased Ike Noble 45s with o.g style silver Ink overprinted labels, they look just

Side 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.

On the flip, it's Big Boy/Girl ballad time. Stunning unreleased deep soul. Sweet Deep soul heads will hoover this up so be quick.

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This month we have three beautifully pressed mostly unreleased Ike Noble 45s with o.g style silver Ink overprinted labels, they look just

On 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.

On 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.

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This month we have three beautifully pressed mostly unreleased Ike Noble 45s with o.g style silver Ink overprinted labels, they look just

On 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.

On 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!

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A rare but unknown modern soul dancer from band Premonition or Premonitions depending on what release they put out. The A side is well written proto disco dancer, it's no wonder collectors have been calling begging for the TPs on this , as nobody can find an original (my copy is beat to death).

I actually really dig the sweet soul flip, its almost to cheesy but walks the edge well, and has some great rising moments if that's your bag (which is should be).

500 Only

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Modern soul / disco royalty, written by the talented Mark Beiner and co-writer Ben Iverson about Marks x girlfriend. It is up there with the best modern floaters in the game. I still remember the first time I Heard this on the dancefloor at Prestatyn soul weekender (I cannot remember who played it), I set out on a mission to get myself a copy which failed miserably at every turn. Many years later I finnaly met Mark, he had done a great job looking after the tapes and all the epherma surrounding the band after Ben has passed away.

On the flip, an early new york rap 45 by the band, previously unreleased on vinyl (we did do it digitally with the LP).

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The 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 outside soul.

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Multi-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.On '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." Following 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). A new project with Groove Armada's Tom Findlay as Bright & 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.

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Orange Vinyl Repress!

What a monster release... two total darkside classic by DJ Fokus and engineered by Pete Parsons at Monroe's.

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"B-SIDES, REMIXES, RARITIES: VOLUME 3 & 4" is the second DLP in the master of mash-up's "SOUL MATES" series, compiling 15 more tracks from AMERIGO's extensive catalog. Featuring KENDRICK LAMAR vs. MARVIN GAYE, DR. DRE vs. CURTIS MAYFIELD, BLACK STAR vs. ARETHA, and many more.

Tracklisting:
A1 - Yasiin Gaye - Respiration (feat. Talib Kweli & Black Thought) (Flying High Mix) (5:37)
A2 - J.B. & The Soul Mates - I Feel Good (feat. Busta Rhymes) (4:19)
A3 - Black Star & Aretha Franklin - Young, Gifted & Black (4:52)
A4 - A Common Wonder - She Wants to Be Moved (3:16)
B1 - Rick James & The Soul Mates - Thank You (feat. Jay-Z & The Roots) (5:06)
B2 - Black Star & Aretha Franklin - Ms. Fat Booty Pt. III (3:25)
B3 - A Common Wonder - Love is Real (4:09)
B4 - Kendrick Lamar & Marvin Gaye - The Heart Part 5 (6:39)
C1 - Notorious B.I.G. & Edwin Starr - B.I.G. Poppa (4:00)
C2 - Curtis Mayfield & Dr. Dre - The Next Episode (feat. Snoop Dogg) (3:05)
C3 - Brandy & Billy Stewart - Sittin' Up In My Room (2:49)
C4 - The Meters & Ludacris - Strut Your Money Maker (feat. Pharrell) (3:32)
D1 - The Temptations & Beyoncé - Crazy Next to You (feat. Jay-Z) (4:45)
D2 - Peter Tosh & Purple Ribbon Allstars - Legalize That Kryptonite (4:05)
D3 - Yasiin Gaye - Priority (Electro-Soul Mix) (2:54)

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They’re young and tough – and especially wonderful too – easily one of the most compelling harmony soul groups to ever hail from the Windy City! The set’s a Chicago soul gem from the early 70s – recorded with a laidback, slightly tripped-out vibe that’s different than the tighter styles of other groups from the same scene – definitely righteous at points, with some of the superbad modes you might hear from an east coast lineup like The Delfonics or Soul Generation, especially when they were trying to get a bit more conscious in their message. Arrangements are great – handled by Tom Tom Washington, Eugene Record, and Cliff Davis – very much at the best Brunswick mode, but again with a deeper sort of vibe too. The title cut’s a monster, and a very fitting follow-up to their earlier “Sly, Slick, & Wicked” track – and the album features 2 versions (vocal and instrumental) of a cut called “This Is The Lost Generation”, a very righteous soul groove with a heavy production tip. Re mastered and re released for 2015 in conjunction with Brunswick. Too legit to quit.

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The first-ever reissue of this in-demand 94 jungle scorcher from DJ Fokus.

Having broken out with two 12”s on Monroe Production’s Blueprint Records, DJ Fokus quickly followed up at the Monroe Studios, under the watchful eye of legendary engineer Pete Parsons (Voyager), with two self-funded 12”s on his Suicide imprint before putting pen to paper with Lucky Spin Recordings. Now regularly demanding three figure sums both releases have achieved cult status amongst jungliests both young and old.

Available for the first time since its initial 1994 pressing, this black wax reissue of the first Suicide release was mastered from the original DAT sourced from Pete's personal archive (which includes the name of the previously presumed untitled b-side) and the lacquer cut by Beau Thomas (Babylon Timewarp/Intense). Expect the second release Watch Out/Media soon...

Fundamental Frequencies is a back room record label (headed by Doug Shipton of archival label Finders Keepers Records), dedicated to unearthing lesser-spotted, sought-after and unreleased choice cuts of jungle, acid, ambient, techno, hardcore, breakbeat (and the galaxy of genres scattered in-between) that helped shape and in some cases bridge the scenes.

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Tracklisting
A1 Gunjack - Ritual 48
A2 Gunjack - Mfunk89
A3 Gunjack - South Side Acid
B1 Gunjack - Warehouse Ghost
B2 Gunjack - Ritual 48 (DJ Shufflemaster remix)
B3 Gunjack - Bleach

Sales Note
How many artists can boast that their music is played by Aphex Twin, Richie Hawtin and Surgeon alike? Celebrating 25 years of the Gunjack project, the launch of the HOUSE OF JACK imprint is here with a 6 track LP on 180 gram vinyl and mastered by Simon at The Exchange. Featuring new and never before heard versions of Gunjack classics, plus a remix of Ritual48 by Japanese techno icon DJ Shufflemaster, this record is an essential ride down a futuristic lane carved out by the Jack himself ... from relentless and funky, to deep and spacey, and all stops between, over the course of six tracks the album showcases a diversity found only in the hands of mastery and dedication. Commemorating 25 years of Gunjack and tipping off the 3rd season of the House of Jack show on youtube, this is a limited edition, colored 200gr 6 track LP - full of must have tunes for any serious DJ or collector of quality electronic music.

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Official re issue of the Mood II Swing classic EP 'Move Me' from 1995. Completely re mastered for 2014 and re issued in the original Music For Your Ears artwork.

Containing the classic 'Move Me' and the incredible 'Alternative Mix' plus the original B sides telephone laden 'Call Me' and filtered off kilter 'Function'.

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Tracklisting
A1 LQ & Midnight Dubs - Westwind Rebels
A2 LQ - A Lovely Area
B1 Pugilist & LQ - Wild & Erratic
B2 Kloke & LQ - Computer Bubblers (Pugilist & Tamen remix)

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After excursions into Hip Hop, Rap and film music Austrian producer and musician Urbs has returned to the downtempo and Triphop styles that were the cornerstones of his most successful work, discovering his very own niche along the way. Using obscure samples as well as traditional instrumentation for his impressionistic instrumental pieces he takes us to „Geheimland“, the secret land of our imagination where things are not as they seem.

Born as Paul Nawrata in Lower Austria, Urbs is a veteran electronic producer and musician living in Vienna. A music fanatic from a very young age, he started writing and photographing for various fanzines in his teenage years, interviewing numerous artists as diverse as Kurt Cobain, Nick Cave and the Wu Tang Clan.

He soon felt attracted to the blossoming HipHop scene of Vienna, contributing to the radio program of legendary impressario Werner Geier aka Demon Flowers. Best described as the Austrian version of Tony Wilson, he took him under his wing and soon released his first steps in music production on his Uptight label.

In 1998 two EPs were released as Urbs & Chaoz, spawning a first success with „Closer To God“, which was not only a radio favourite, but was also used by famed director Ulrich Seidl in his early work „Models“ and remixed by none other than legendary Washington duo Thievery Corporation.

Heavily influenced by Kenny Dope, Todd Terry and Armand Van Helden’s HipHop releases,
the musical style of Urbs & Chaoz was dubbed Dope Beat in central Europe and can be seen as one of the precursors of Triphop.

His next musical partner was Cutex with whom he released „Breaks Of Dawn“ and „Peace Talks!“, two LPs of timeless instrumental HipHop, both of which are seen as classics of the genre. „The Thing“, a veritable hit on Austrian radio, was used for various commercials and even selected as one of the „Best 100 Austrian Songs“ by FM4, the leading alternative radio station in the country. Until today that song has been streamed more than two million times.

His first solo album was released on G-Stone Recordings in 2005 and was co-produced by Peter Kruder (Kruder & Dorfmeister). On „Toujours Le Meme Film“, Urbs channelled his love for film music and French Chanson. He toured Europe with a six piece band and a complex visual concept and the album became a remarkable success. Songs from „Toujours Le Meme Film“ were used for US TV shows „Grey´s Anatomy“ and „Nip:Tuck“ as well as numerous commercials; Gilles Peterson discovered the album and played „So Weit“ on his Worldwide radio shows.

Urbs began producing other musicians like Austrian MC Skero, released further EPs of instrumental HipHop and numerous remixes for the likes of Tosca, Marsmobil and Daniel Haaksmann along with countless other Austrian artists.

Together with award winning composer Karwan Marouf, he worked on film music for directors like Arash and Arman Riahi as well as Werner Boote, on commercials, documentaries and contract work for Red Bull Media.

Since the early days of social media Urbs has connected with MCs and singers from around the world and in 2017 finally released those collaborations on the (Rap-)album simply titled „Urbs“, which included contributions by MCs like Wordsworth and R.A. The Rugged Man. The song „10000 Years Behind Me“ with its spectacular video starring Austrian actress Birgit Minichmayr was another success on the alternative radio in central Europe.

While in 2020 the world was in the grip of the pandemic, Urbs, who had just become a father felt inspired by the fantasy and perception of his son. He reconnected with his roots and produced „Geheimland“ in one go, trying to find the essence of his work and musical passion and creating his very own musical language along the way.

Tracklisting

Side A
A1. Levitation (6:10)
A2. Im Geheimland (5:29)
A3. Mighty Amethyst (6:28)

Side B
B1. Mandarin Sparrow Song (6:28)
B2. Thasos (6:32)
B3. She Of Tranquility (5:22)

Side C
C1. The Lizbeth Phrase (5:27)
C2. Ever Golden (4:14)
C3. Woodwind (5:51)

Side D
D1. Cryosol (6:19)
D2. Light Comes On (6:09)

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