Big Crown US 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: The faultless Big Crown label revisits one of its biggest hits from back in 2016. New York City-based collective 79.5 is made up of seven musicians and singers and their gorgeous 'Terrorize My Heart' 45rpm reached some heart aching disco highs. Now it comes with in two new forms - the disco dub with its seductive drums and bass and airy, soulful vocal, and a remix from hip hop royalty Tall Black Guy. He deconstructs the tune and rebuilds it as a smoky, jazz tinged slow motion hip hop beat. The chords are warm and cuddly, the vocal is more meandering but still acts as the perfect icing on a delicious cake.

Review: A low-key 7" split single, this stripped back soul beauty is El Michels Affair's latest in a slew of new singles and EPs. The sultry A-side 'Stack The Deck' is a mood-resetting embrace of chance. The B-side, 'Things Done Changed', is a smooth, gorgeous take on The Notorious B.I.G.'s original, curtailing its suicidally string-laden confidence for a much more soulful, horn-laden rendition.

Review: Cinematic soul legend El Michels Affair has written a superb album Glorious Game which is due for release later in spring. Before that full-length with Roots co-founder and lyricist Black Thought - which is a meditation on the state of the hip-hop scene in the early 2020s - we get this taster single from it. 'Glorious Game' as you would expect as all the lush instrumentation and dark soul sounds you'd expect from this artist by now with the added extra of some superbly thought-provoking mic work. 'Grateful' is another heart-wrenching and alluring sound that more than gets us excited for the full length.

Review: The gold standard Big Crown label excels at heartbreaking Americana, blue-eyed soul and downbeat pop. A 116th release of such sounds now comes from Holy Hive who are back with a new bunch of songs after their 2020 debut album, Float Back To You, won widespread acclaim. Their trademark folk-soul sound is in full view once more here with falsetto vocals bring real heart aching over slow, downbeat drums. It's beautiful stuff that takes the form of two only subtle different singles here. Both wallow in their own sadness and delicateness but leaving a lasting impression.

Review: Lady Wray's Piece of Me is a second sizzling album of superb soul. It marked something of a homecoming for the artist as she debuted on this label back in 2016 and found her leaning towards her usual soul and r&b as well as more hip-hop influences than ever: classic boom-bap drums and chunky bass hist loud and proud and for that reason the originals are ripe for remixing as they are here. Two legends of the game in Pete Rock and Ghostface Killah step up and bring their own signature sound and dusty drum beats to make for a crucial little 7".

Review: Bobby Ozra was on tour back in 2019 and the final date was in New York City. He had some time before returning home to Finland so hooked up with El Michel's Affair and Diamond Mine to record some music. The pair hit it off immediately, and Bobby used the chance to write about more esoteric subjects with the pair soon deciding to work on a full length album together. They are now well on with that process but in the meantime offer up two new gems. 'Losing It' is sun in Spanish and English and is a dramatic and moving tune while 'Watcha Know' explores death with some philosophical ponderings.

Review: Big Crown bring the beat heat once again with two raw funk / soul gems. The Sonics' rare-as-hens-teeth northern soul anthem "Find Myself Another Girl" gets liberated from its high ticket collector price with this much needed reissue while an old master tape prowls to life on the B as Texan troupe S.C.A.M's take on the well-covered Classics IV 1968 standard "Spooky" enjoys a release for the first time. Divine.

Review: Thee Heart Tones, Big Crown Records' newest addition, showcase their youthful exuberance and musical prowess on their debut single. Recorded at Diamond West Studio with producers Leon Michels and Tommy Brenneck, the band delivers a captivating performance on both tracks. 'Forever & Ever' is an infectious, feelgood anthem with lead singer Jazmine Alvarado's captivating vocals soaring over the band's lively groove. The song's catchy chorus is bound to linger in listeners' minds long after the music stops. On the B-side, their rendition of the classic 'Sabor A Mi' demonstrates their versatility and skill, with Jazmine's vocals shining once again. Thee Heart Tones have made a promising entrance into the music scene, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating their forthcoming debut album.

Review: Those superb soul overs at Big Crown have dug deep again and unearthed a new one from Thee Marloes, who turn out a ballad sung in Indonesian. It's an inescapably exotic vocal and it comes over a stripped down track made from lovely hand drums, warm electric piano, and super guitar lines. This tune comes as the Thee Marloes are in the midst, we're told, of working on their new album but whether it is a tune from it is unsure. On the B-side of the 45rpm is 'True Love', another heartwarming gem with worldly charm and unforgettable grooves.