Artist__│ El Michels Affair meets Liam Bailey
Title___│ Ekundayo Inversions
Label___│ Big Crown Records

Source__│ Web Store

01. Intro                                                        0:21
02. Conquer & Divide (Feat. Black Thought)                       3:15
03. Amazing Women                                                1:16
04. Angel Face                                                   2:44
05. Walk With Me                                                 3:20
06. No One Else                                                  3:53
07. King                                                         2:00
08. Ugly Truths (Feat. Lee Scratch Perry)                        2:34
09. I Love NY                                                    2:56
10. Superstar                                                    3:09
11. Awkward (Take 2)                                             3:12
12. Lucky Man                                                    3:15
13. Faded                                                        3:04

There has always been a Reggae influence 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&B
tracks that would fit 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 flourishes of
vocals from the original tracks.

El Michels decided to use the blueprints left behind and make something
using the influences 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 floating 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&B style, reggae style,
stripped down to their bare bones, or loaded with production, the songs
will move you.

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