RELEASED 21.9.2012
Platypus was among many funk-based acts to emerge from Dayton, Ohio in the 1970s, along with the Ohio Players, Heatwave, Slave, and Lakeside. Their style was specifically influenced by progressive rock, earning compliments from Rick Wakeman of Yes. The group's fans in Japan defined their sound as "between rock and soul." Group member Arthur Stokes co-wrote ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’ for Michael Jackson's Ben (1972) album and ‘I'm Glad It Rained’ for The Jackson Five. Upon moving to Los Angeles in the mid-'70s, members of Platypus worked with Motown producer Hal Davis and contributed to sessions for Thelma Houston, The 5th Dimension, and Diana Ross. Platypus was mentored by Roberta Flack after she saw the group headline at The Bottom Line in Osaka, Japan. She teamed them with producers James Mtume and Reggie Lucas, who co-wrote ‘Dance If You Can’ with Platypus just before their work on Stephanie Mills' 20th Century Fox debut album. STREET BABIES and DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT were the two songs that earned Platypus an artist/producer recording contract with Casablanca Records. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT was released as a single and later selected as a key track in Casablanca Records: Play It Again (2009), an oral history celebrating the 35th anniversary of Casablanca. Released in deluxe Super Jewel cases, with bonus tracks and brand new exclusive interviews with all four surviving original members, PLATYPUS is a must for all Soul, Funk and Disco and Rock fans out there!
1. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT 2. STREET BABIES 3. LOVE THE WAY YOU FUNK 4. DON’T GO AWAY 5. DANCE IF YOU CAN 6. RUNNING FROM LOVE 7. BODY AND SOUL BONUS TRACKS 8. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT (SINGLE VERSION) 9. BODY AND SOUL (SINGLE VERSION) 10. LOVE THE WAY YOU FUNK (SINGLE VERSION) 11. DANCE IF YOU CAN (SINGLE VERSION) 12. STREET BABIES (12” VERSION) 13. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT (12” VERSION) 14. LOVE THE WAY YOU FUNK (12” VERSION)