Athens Of The North come through with the crucial repress of UK reggae songbird Al Charles’ obscure 80s digi cover of The Gap Band’s “Outstanding.” The results are, well, outstanding… Al and the Donegon Players (who knows??) hit the tune with so much style and excellence you’d think it was meant to be a reggae song all along (see also: “I’m In Love,” “Nights Over Egypt”). Also I want whatever machine produced this insane bass tone. Nuts! Version on the flip, housed in AOTN company sleeve, original trades for $200 easily. You know the vibes…

• rare 80s digital reggae cover of The Gap Band
• black vinyl pressing
• housed in AOTN company jacket
• dub version on side B
• music label: Athens Of The North 2019

reviewed by manfred mandem 03/2020