En Trance

Atmosfear's most significant contribution to disco was the slightly loony "Dancing in Outer Space," a track that has remained popular with underground disco fanatics since its release. A U.K.-based jazz-funk outfit, the group's members included bassist Lester Batchelor, lead guitarist Andy Sojka, rhythm guitarist Anthony Anoniou, and saxophonist Stewart Gawthorne. Formed by Sojka, a record shop owner, in 1977, the group made their official debut two years later with "Dancing in Outer Space," which found its niche in the underground dance scene after the group licensed it to MCA. The group went on to release a handful of singles throughout the ‘80s that failed to do as well as their debut. Two albums, 1981's En Trance and 1984's First/Foremost, were both released on the group's Elite label (the same label that launched the career of Level 42). A couple of retrospectives have appeared, including 1999's Altered Slates, a collection of remixes and re-workings from the likes of Francois K and Masters at Work. A year later, Sequel issued the lovingly packaged Dancing in Outer Space, a best-of. ~ Andy Kellman