Name: Ekundayo Inversions
Brand: El Michels Affair Meets Liam Bailey

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

BCR119LPC4

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Colour

clear

Colour details

Clear with Red / Green Splats

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Discogs ID

Discs

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: Yes

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Coke Bottle Clear with Red and Green Splatter 

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-08-13

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Cargo

Tax rate GB

UPC / Barcode

0349223011982

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1 / Extended format: Yes / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: Yes / Signed copies: No / clear

BCR119CD

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Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format: No

0349223011920

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1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

El Michels Affair Meets Liam Bailey

Genre GB

Funk / Soul

Label GB

Big Crown

Exclusive

El Michels Affair reimaginging Liam’s Ekundayo Album. Produced by Leon Michels. Also includes three unreleased vocal tracks from the Ekundayo sessions.

There has always been a Reggae in­uence in the music of El Michels Affair. From their cover of “Hung Up On My Baby” done in a Reggae style, to the general sound and approach that permeates Leon’s production style. While recording Bailey’s 2020 Ekundayo album, they did some straight forward reggae tunes inspired by different eras alongside some modern R&amp;B tracks that would be more comfortably next to Frank Ocean than Jacob Miller. It is this same notion that old and new can live so comfortably together that birthed the idea of Ekundayo Inversions.

Traditional dub came out of reggae in the late 60s and early 70s when pioneers like King Tubby and Lee Perry started taking the multi track recordings of songs and running them back through the board adding effects and additional instrumentation. These recordings are called “dubs” or “versions” and are typically instrumentals with ­ourishes of vocals from the original tracks.

El Michels decided to use the blueprints left behind and make something using the in­uences of today. He wound up straying so far from the traditional format that it didn’t seem right to use the word ‘Dub’, hence Ekundayo Inversions. All the songs are tied together by WhatsApp messages between Leon and Liam that perfectly narrate the story of this record and their working relationship.

One of the highlights on Ekundayo Inversions is a guest appearance from the legendary Lee “Scratch” Perry on the “Ugly Truth” version. L$P switches between singing and talking, proclaiming his powers one minute and playing with the track’s title the next. On “Awkward take. 2” Leon takes one of the most experimental songs from Ekundayo and actually straightens it out. A track that once seemed to be ­oating in space has now been anchored by the addition of drums and bass. “Faded”, a version of “Paper Tiger”, is given the full EMA treatment with the addition of emotive horns over an uncomfortably sparse rhythm track peppered with Liam’s voice drenched in delay and echo.

“Champions” features a verse from Black Thought of The Roots and halfway through, El Michels sends the rhythm section 50 years back. At the end of the day, Ekundayo Inversions is a testament to how strong the original songs are. Whether they’re in a R&amp;B style, reggae style, stripped down to their bare bones, or loaded with production, the songs will move you.