Athens Of The North レコード& CD

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: The tireless Athens of the North label boss has many ongoing musical missions but one right now is putting out the first-ever 7" singles from a famous 1970s soul album by Crystal Winds. The band is made up of keyboardist Paul Coleman and saxophonist M.C. Morris Brown, and guitarist Martin Dumas co-wrote the a-side here, 'Lover's Holiday' with Brown. It's a gorgeous number with smooth but funky bass licks and soft backing vocals fleshing out the sumptuous sounds. The energy levels pick up on 'Love Ain't Easy' with its swirling, skyward strings, sapling cymbals and more lovely bass playing.