In case you thought the imminent arrival of Bacao Rhythm And Steel Band’s steel drum funk LP 55 was the only heavyweight goodness to emerge from the Big Crown label this spring, let this new one from Leon Michels outfit El Michels Affair set the record straight. The A-side brings the funky Shaolin drum-crunch of a 4th Chamber – a cover of GZA’s Liquid Swords track from back in the day laden with guitar fuzz and more menace than Pai Mei with an ingrown toenail. On the flip who should be on guest vox? None other than labelmate Lee Fields who initiates things with some scorching soul. Before you can say ‘torch song’ however, everything psychs out! Sizzling.
(Out now on Big Crown Records)