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Two unreleased disco funk bangers from Joe Tex backing band THE SECOND RE$$URRECTION. Dug out from Sonny Cravers Stanson Records archive, The band did release one ultra rare disco/modern 45 which goes for $3000+ all day long also coming to Athens of the north soon.One of the most widely travelled, widely heard unknown groups in the world. A band of serious Funk musicians who have shared the stage with the elite of the elite. They have shared the stage with Jean Carne, Boston, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, Rufus & Chaka Khan, The Isley Brothers, Shalamar, Tavares, Rufus Thomas, Tyrone Davis, Barbara Lynn, Millie Jackson, The Brothers Johnson, B.T. Express, Brick, Frank Lucas, The Drifters & Blue Magic. They won equal acclaim when they played alongside Earth, Wind & Fire at The CBS Family Affair. They performed at New York's Rialto Theatre, The Apollo, and toured East and West Germany. They performed for the movie premier of Rudy Ray Moore's, Petey Wheatstraw - The Devil's Son-In-Law at Chicago's Regal Theatre.The original name of the group was THE SIX DEGREES SOUTH (A Very rare funk45 I released when working at Jazzman Records) based out of Lawton Oklahoma. A nomadic group, they completed a 3 year trek primarily booked at military bases across the nation. They also played a variety of college and university towns, ski-lodges, various clubs and hotel ballrooms. They initially dabbled in recording producing a vinyl 45' single entitled, Loving You Is Too Far Out. Upon returning to home-base the group met the legendary soul singer, Joe Tex. Being into funk, we were not all that familiar with his soul sound. He explained what he wanted to do and the end results of what could be accomplished. The band, already being self-contained and autonomous seized the opportunity to utilize not only Tex's fame in the music/radio world but his label connections. Unknowingly, this group almost single-handedly launched Tex's career back into the spotlight allowing him to re-emerge and re-invent himself after a 5 year sabbatical.They played, wrote and produced-in-part Joe Tex's Bumps & Bruises album containing the mega-hit, Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman. This culminated into Tex's first gold album, won a Grammy nomination and was #86 on Billboard's 1978 year-end chart.On the flip side the bands own LP was shelfed after the single "Smoke in the Disco" did not live up to Stansons Records expectations, as these things go it later became a huge modern/northern soul record and is coveted by collectors all over the world, so lets share a bit more of the Lost LP...,.

First time I heard this track out was D.Jing with Adrian Gibson, booker/manager for the London Jazz Cafe in its hay day in the early 2000s, i thought it was some crazy obscusre early Jacksons 45. I had no idea what it was but i liked it and it stuck with me. As my eyes were on 45's at the time it passed me by until Numero Group reissued it on their fabulous 'Soul Messengers' compilation (essential purchase if you don't own). After quite a bit of badgering Rob Sevier, Co-owner of Numero Group, let this grace my format of choice, so here we are, both sides first outing as a single. Essential

Imagenes Recordings is proud to present the latest dancefloor Jazz groover of Andre Espeut Quintet. Its been a few of years now years since the first two releases of the Quintet, which has had an incredible response from many radio shows in the Uk and overseas, including Craig Charles, Jazz FM, Patrick Forge between others. This follow up continues the story of an endless amalgamation of Jazz & Blues, which keeps swinging through the musical landscape of today after almost six decades of its origins.This ain't how it ends:A mans journey into brighter things as he talks about the challenges of life, with an optimistic outcome. From Ray Charles to Gregory Porter the influences are well rooted here in this song.Cut loose:Takes traditional Brazilian styles with finely crafted Jazz compositions and arrangements of Bossa Nova-infused Jazz, perfectly capturing the mood of summer vibes with rich vocals.

Danny Krivit returns to the vinyl source with two killer edits for Paul Raffaele's Most Excellent Unltd. Label. He kicks off with a Cymande version that's been lurking in his crates for well over a decade. Taking the iconic bassline and stretching the Dickens out of it, it's a kindly reminder of how well Danny understands groove dynamics. Absolutely perfect for teasing a crowd before dropping the classic original. Flip for a shake-up of Niagara's "Sangondongo". A dedication to the drums whipped up with shamanic feels, say hello to your brand new favourite secret mixing weapon.

Spectrum Records proudly introduces its debut 45 with this collaboration between XL Middleton, one of the most emblematic producers of the L.A modern funk scene and Ghost, the L.A. based French producer, turntablist, and founder of Spectrum Records.

Athens of the north presents two of the disco floaters from our previously unreleased AOTNLP Original Friends and Buddies, both of these versions are on 45 for the first time. The Stripped down Version of 'Silence that you keep' benefits from the more direct tight Vocal. Without the synths there is much more space in the mix which suits the melancholy deep disco groove so much better. On the Flip 'Po Man' has also been stripped right back to its more basic elements also for the better, less is so much more.- Previously Unreleased Versions - Alternate Version without synths