Dayton funk band Platypus was almost lost to history. The group’s two Casablanca Records full-lengths are long out of print. However, the music is getting a new life, thanks to a CD reissue of Platypus’ self-titled 1979 album, reissued in October by British indie Big Break Records.

“A writer named Christian Wikane has been the absolute catalyst,” said singer Arthur Stokes, the only remaining member still living in Dayton. “He was commissioned two-and-a-half years ago to do a 35-year piece on Casablanca. He knew about Donna Summer, Kiss and what have you, but he wanted to see some of the other acts from the tip to the top. He ran across our song ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ and absolutely fell in love with it.”

Wikane included Platypus in his Casablanca profile and wrote a separate feature on the band, but he wasn’t done. He solicited labels in the hopes one would agree to reissue the group’s out-of-print debut.

“Christian wanted the world to have an opportunity to hear the music,” Stokes said. “He let Big Break Records hear some, and they also thought our music needed back out there. I’m very excited.”

Unlike many of its contemporaries, Platypus was a tight, hornless unit that injected elements of prog-rock and disco into its potent funk. While the group’s music hasn’t remained in the pop consciousness like songs by The Ohio Players and Heatwave, as the reissue reveals, Platypus was equally exciting and innovative.

Cheers to Christian Wikane for unearthing this overlooked album.