Big Crown US 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Bjorn Wagner's Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band have put out several fresh albums and many great 7"s on Big Crown and 'Hotline Bling' is another one. The mysterious Hamburg outfit brings their famous steel pan sound and reaches new heights here as they again cover songs that span genres and range from mega-hits to album cuts. Their own unique approach is to mix up the traditional sounds of Trinidad and Tobago with the original source material to leave you ready to dance all night long.

Review: Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, the mysterious steel pan outfit from Hamburg, have amassed a cult following around the globe. With a slew of classic 7"s and three critically acclaimed full length albums, they set a high bar for themselves, one which they clearly intend on pushing to even higher heights with this new offering. On their fourth album BRSB, Bacao return with more of the same, but more of the same with them is of course inherently different. Covering songs that span genres, and range from mega-hits to underground album cuts, they make them their own with their unique approach to the traditional steel pans of Trinidad and Tobago. While part of the allure of a new Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band album is finding out what covers they choose, it is equally intriguing to see what original tunes they've cooked up alongside these, and this record is foul of standout originals. from 'In The Crosshairs' to 'Grilled' to 'Treasure Quest'.

Review: Unfairly labelled as a novel curio when they first emerged, the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band is a genuine expression of Mighty Mocambos man Bjorn Wagner's love of Trinidadian steel pan music. Their tracks - often, but not always, quirky cover versions - combined authentic funk instrumentation (drums, bass, guitar, horns) with the timeless and distinctive sound of steel drums. BRSB, the combo's fourth album, is another summery and effortlessly entertaining treat. Highlights include the inspired 'Love For The Sake of Dub' (an organic interpretation of Claudja Barry's slo-mo disco classic 'Love For The Sake of Love'), the breaker-friendly cheeriness and heaviness of 'Grilled', a wonderfully woozy and dubbed out stroll through the 'Stranger Things Theme', and the summer sunshine of 'Champion's Walk'.

Review: We have always got time for new heat from Big Crown and that's just what we have here from Brainstory. This trio of artists take cues from the label's co-owner Leon Michels and his work interpreting the Wu-Tang but with this own energy. They dropped a first EP back in 2014 and since then have looked to jazz, hip-hop old and new, soul and cinematic opulence for their inspiration. This new 7" comes as the outfit is finishing off its second full length and is a fine taster of what to expect with a show stopping two-sider that will soon find its way into you heart.

Review: Big Crown does it again here with another magical 7" this time from Dave Guy, who has contributed to plenty of this label but only now makes his solo debut. It finds him working with label regulars Homer Steinweiss & Nick Movshon, who take care of production and play on the recordings. 'Footwork' is a vibrant fusion of soul, funk, and jazz that, as a trumpeter for the renowned band The Dap-Kings, brings his distinctive style to the forefront and infuses each track with infectious energy and groove. Dynamic horn arrangements, tight rhythms, and soulful melodies all make this one special and show just how skilled a musician Guy is, and apparently, there is plenty more to come.