Athens Of The North

This Disco Funk Banger was discovered reasonably late in the game on the Deepfunk scene,. Vivian Lee's big powerful vocal over the pushy backing is what its all about, straight to the point short and sweet dance floor killer. This sounds better than the O.G which was pretty rough.

- Two previously unreleased tracks from the outsider disco outfit - StrangeChristopher Spraggins & The Strange Band out of Rochester, N.Y released a total of one record. . A spaced out druggy disco band that had a hint of Rick James with a deeper trippier vibe that's truly unique, reproduced for you here for the first time since 1978. The band was introduced to the world by Cleveland Unlimited Records who still exist to this day, unfortunately as these things go, the record failed to gain sales needed to justify further but a whole LP was recorded, here we bring you the best tracks from that unreleased LP on your favourite format

Before the technical and historical chat this is what we have... Super rare local Michigan disco 45 in the vein of 'Long Train Running' but better, that should be enough to click buy I would hope. Flipside were a typical local radio rock band drawn into the disco funk wave and became known locally in Michigan as the "the long Haired Disco Band Guys." The Record is notable as it was produced by David Kalmbach, this Michigan legend owned Great Lakes Recording Studio which played a very important role in the garage rock movement by offering teen bands the chance to record a 45 that could be sold off the bandstand or at local record shops, given to potential employers, and even get airplay on one or more of the many AM rock and roll radio stations that dotted the state. Band member Dave Stewart went on to be in "The Magnificent Men" (A.K.A. Blue eyed soul brothers.) who were the first ever band to open for James Brown at The Apollo Theatre and also played with Eddie Holman, Soul Survivors & The Four Tops.

Christopher Spraggins & The Strange Band out of Rochester, N.Y released a total of one record. . A spaced out druggy disco band that had a hint of Rick James with a deeper trippier vibe that's truly unique, reproduced for you here for the first time since 1978. The band was introduced to the world by Cleveland Unlimited Records who still exist to this day, unfortunately as these things go, the record failed to gain sales needed to justify further releases despite there being more recordings. Some of said recording are on the way, don't sleep as per.

Gospel is not something we often delve into at AOTN, I like the odd track but to make the grade it has to be really good. I used to play 'He's Alright' (the B-Side of this 45) from the LP back in the day when you could pick it up for $10. At that point nobody cared or was looking for Gospel Disco (especially on LP) but Times and tastes catch up with us out there on the front line ,) so when I heard Floating Points play 'The Power of Your Love' at the Plastic People closing party I was surprised as I had all but forgotten about the LP (credit where credit is due). I jumped into action, hit up Calvin Bridges who wrote and recorded the LP (and is still recording gospel to this day) and he was happy to help out, so here we have it, A now historic track flipped with my preferred B side and old secret weapon, this will fly.