While never as big as the Ohio Players, Zapp or Lakeside, Platypus was on Casablanca Records alongside acts like Donna Summer, KISS and Parliament. The funk group released its debut album, “Platypus,” in 1979 and its second and final album, “Cherry,” in 1980. It was a time of internal strife at Casablanca. Flamboyant label founder Neil Bogart left in 1980, ending a seven-year reign of excess and hits by Summer, the Village People and others.
After leaving Casablanca, Stokes (vocals, percussion), Kerry Rutledge (vocals, guitar), Jerry Johnstone (lead and rhythm guitar), Lloyd “Rok” Jones (bass) and Curtis Sanford (drums, percussion) recorded some tracks at Total Experience Studios in Los Angeles. The songs on the Super Disco Edits single, however, were recorded at Counterpart Studios in Cincinnati.
“After our stint at Casablanca ended, we went back in the studio to record some other music to go after another deal, which never came through,” Stokes said. “As my mentor at Motown Records, Hal Davis, used to say, ‘A song sitting around, catching dust.’ I’m glad people can now get a chance to hear it and, hopefully, enjoy it.”
“I Live For Your Lovin’” is the A-side of the single. It was sung by Rutledge with guest vocals from Keith Harrison of Faze-O and was a full-band co-write. Stokes sings the B-side, “I Never Knew Love (Could Feel This Way).” It was written by former Platypus member Dana Meyers with Belinda Lipscomb and Jeffrey Cooper of Midnight Star.
More info: facebook.com/platypusfunkrock or superdiscoedits.bigcartel.com.
Contact this contributing writer at 937-287-6139 or e-mail at donthrasher100@gmail.com.
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