Big Crown Vinyl, CD & Tape 151 Items

Vinyl close to NM

Vinyl with a couple of light scuffs, closer to VG+

Bobby's 2019 tour ended in New York City and he had two days off before flying home to Finland. Leon invited him to the Diamond Mine to record some music. Bobby had been talking about wanting to stretch out lyrically and write about more esoteric subject matter, Leon was game. They recorded "Reasons" in one session which put the chemistry between the two on the world stage and sparked the idea of doing a full length album together. More than halfway through the recording process, they have decided to treat us to another two-sider of the new material. On the A side, "Whatcha Know" Bobby explores death and the human experience, putting his philosophical ponderings into his music. Michels' production and overall ethos is the perfect compliment to Bobby's desire to stretch out his sound. EMA provides a gorgeous backing track that compliments Bobby's style and simultaneously broadens its scope. The B side "Losing It" is a dramatic and moving number that Bobby sings in Spanish and English. A gorgeous guitar riff is countered with eerie sound effects that crescendo when the drums come in. Bobby professes he's "Losing It" over a love too strong and El Michels Affair's production turns the whole affair into a saga that thunders through speakers.

Big Crown Records presents the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band’s smashing cover version of “P.I.M.P.”. Following up on the smashing success of their debut album “55” and a string of essential 45s, this is the third label to press this staple tune. Three labels, three times, three different B sides. Back in 2008 Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band released its smashing cover of 50 Cent's P.I.M.P. which was long thought to be the original sample for the tune. The Mocambo pressing already hard to come by and fetching top dollar on the internet has become an underground classic. Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band treat the tune to their signature smashing drums and bass heavy production, taking the original loop and turning it into a full composition. Brass and steel pan parts putting it somewhere between reggae, steel funk, and the “Superfly” Soundtrack. Side B is the proper reggae offering from Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, a cover of the legendary John Holt’s classic “Police In Helicopter”. Another must have two sider, another Big Crown sure shot.

Last year, a month before Nicole gave birth to her first child, she visited Leon Michels in upstate NY and cooked up two of the toughest and most moving songs we've heard from her to date. We've been patiently sitting on this release for a few months now, and it is an understatement to say Big Crown is proud to present the newest 45 from Lady Wray. Side A, Piece Of Me , sounds like a lost Dilla beat that sampled a lost David Porter song. Guaranteed to have heads nodding from the first snare crack, Nicole sings a tune about the difficulties of dealing with family and friends who need more than you can provide. The chorus says it all, I'll let you take a piece of me, I hope you get the piece you need and if that's not enough I'll let you go peacefully" - From the jump, Nicole's voice takes the listener into a world where you have no choice but to feel something in the pit of your stomach. Side B Come On In finds Lady Wray tapping into her early years singing in church. With only three instruments and Nicole's voice, Come On In is a masterclass in the craft of singing, the sound of soul, and the power of restraint.

The Finnish Crooner, Bobby Oroza, Is Back With A New Set Of Tunes That Pick Up Right Where His Glorious 2018 Debut Album, This Love, Left Off.The A Side 'I Got Love' Is A Sweet Soul Anthem For Those With Their Priorities Straight And An Encouraging Reminder To Those Who May Have Lost Sight Of What Is Truly Important In Life. Bobby Has Penned Another Hit. He Sings About Choosing Love Over All Things Material And Recognizing What You Have When You Have It. Bobby Sings An Earworm Of A Chorus That Sums It Up Perfectly, "I Got Love, And That's Enough".The B Side, 'Loving Body', Is As Seductive As It Is Profound. Bobby Proposi- Tions His Love Interest Over A Gorgeous Cold Diamond & Mink Production For More Than A Light Hearted Love Affair. Mr. Oroza Is Not Your Average Joe, And This Is Not Your Average Roses And Candy Song. Bobby Lays Out His Desire To Become One Loving Body In The Way Two Rivers Become Part Of The Sea. A Beautiful Song About Attraction And Desire That Will Be An Instant Staple In The Sweet Soul World And Beyond.

Liam Bailey comes out swinging with "White Light," an instant-classic, dancefloor filler. The rough and tough drum break intro catches you from the first beat before the track gives way to an infectious and uplifting reggae-dis- co number. Liam's instantly recognizable voice showers his muse with praise over deep round bass lines and a four on the floor beat. The combination of Leon Michels' crushing production and Bailey's lyrics like "You love yourself, you're so exciting, like no one else"... is sure to make this a staple in dj sets around the globe.The B side "Cold & Clear" is a proper lighters in the air, slap the wall, top ranking tune. The track struts in the door with a natural and undeniable confidence. Liam weaves a heavy metacognitive story over the one drop drums, perfect basslines, and organ stabs that will have people stepping in rhythm. The lo-fi production weaves elements from the finest early rocksteady era with touches from the late 70s / early 80s digital era and takes the entire vibe into the present with unorthodox arrangements and vocal treatments. Bailey has a tune here that will hold up next to the classics in the dancehalls from the yards of Jamaica to the discotheques in his homeland of England.

Big Crown Records is proud to present the first single from Holy Hive's forthcoming debut full length Float Back To You.The A side "Hypnosis" is an up number from The Hive that catches the listener from the first notes of Paul's guitar. A good vibe tune inspired by the price you pay to stay out late at night and enjoy your life knowing you have work in the morning. Homer and Paul once again play up the fruitful relationship of oxpecker and rhino with Steinweiss' infamous in the pocket drumming that Spring's vocals float over. Harp and synth flourishes pepper the arrangement and the uber-catchy chorus makes this one a staple in their live set.The B side, "Broom" is a musing on the nature of seeing one's true love for the first time. Holy Hive have taken this tried and true subject and infused it with their signature soul-folk sound to create this gem of a b-side. Paul Spring's honesty shines through as he sings with his beautiful falsetto about his real life love at first-sight experience. Joe Harrison brings the tasteful bass and supporting guitar accents while Homer Steinweiss lays down one of his signature grooves. The drum break at the top features a rare and much sought after drum machine known by some as the "zim-gar". Also, Holy Hive is proud to welcome Leon Michels as the guest saxophonist on the this tune. It was all recorded at the Diamond Mine Studios with Jens Jungkurth as the engineer.

With the announcement of their long awaited, highly anticipated debut full length
release, 79.5 drops a new and revamped version of their underground classic
Boy Don’t Be Afraid. Producer Leon Michels took it back in the studio and made it into
a proper two stepper, slowed it down a touch, and added percussion and Wurly. The result
is another sure shot side for the dance floor from one of New York City’s most adored
underground acts. Like many of the girl group classics, Boy Don't Be Afraid is a song about
love. But beyond that, it is a song about being—being hopeful, being romantic, being brave.
A romantic stance and a declaration of love through melody.
The B Side, I Stay, You Stay is a beautiful number about meeting in the middle and a
testament to a woman’s intuition. A love song starting in hesitation, walking through
admiration, and ending in certainty and gratitude. The ladies weave this tale trading leads
and combining voices seamlessly over the band’s signature in the pocket drums and bass,
rhodes chords, and flute flourishes. I Stay, You Stay is a perfect example of one of the
defining things about 79.5 and why they are known as the “Mid Tempo Maidens”, as the
lyrics reflect “they don’t have to rush, they have lots of time”.

Homer Steinweiss has an incredibly storied career in music that started when he was just a teenager. He's drummed for nearly every "retro soul" group that mattered and his distinctive stickwork helped blend the raw-but-receptive soul sound back into the mainstream via the likes of Amy Winehouse & Sharon Jones. He's now one of the most in demand drummers in the world, playing with Jonas Brothers, Clairo, Solange, Adele, and Bruno Mars to name a few. With his debut solo release Ensatina, Homer is stepping to the forefront as both musician and producer. His new record is a reection of who he is now and a testament to how struggle often brings about a needed change. In 2020 Homer had to reckon with considerable emotional turbulence; at the same time that his band Holy Hive broke up, a personal relationship of 20+ years fell apart putting Homer in an uncertain place mentally. The fallout was signicant enough for him to seek professional help. "I was going through these super manic highs and then very depressive lows," Homer describes. "And being in all that, it's just so tough to imagine that the other side is there, that it'll be ok." But, with time, professional help, and support from friends and family, Homer made it through and has been forever changed. This album is a product of that period of his life. The rst song from these sessions, "Now That It's Over" perfectly sums up Homer's triumph through those tough times. It's a song of changing perspective and contemplation with haunting vocals from Hether and Flikka. "Paul (Castelluzzo_ aka, Hether), as a friend, saw me through these highs and lows," Homer points out. "I only had the one line, 'Now that it's over, I'm alright,' but he felt that lyric so much that he wrote all these sections and lyrics and basically completed the song. It was like he was writing to me." Hether also features on album standouts "Deep Sea", a modern love song, "Start Select", a juxtaposition of inspiration and melancholy, and "Forever and Ever and Ever and Ever" which is an incredible contemporary take on the B side soul ballad. Homer uses his innate gift for bringing seemingly opposing energies together on "Racecar Driver", pairing the vocals of Hether & long time friend and collaborator KIRBY to make a genre challenging banger. KIRBY also graces the album opener "Rollin'", an airy, warm-weather invoking song that her raspy voice perfectly compliments. He puts his drumming front and center on "So Get Up!", a bottom heavy infectious track that MINOVA's vocals turn into an instant hit that is sure to smash speakers. On "Wishing Well" & "Hide It Behind the Light I'm Shining Through" Homer is joined by girl named GOLDEN, who's unique voice effortlessly nds the pocket in each tune. The man on trumpet, and fellow Big Crown label mate Dave Guy, puts his incomparable playing on the album closer "Goldie" which Homer says is the part of the movie where the credits roll. Making this album was a refuge for Homer and it put him back on track. Ensatina is a glimpse into the different energies and inuences that make Homer tick. To say he was always much more than a drummer would be an understatement, and this rst solo offering is just the beginning of his next chapter.

As a follow up single to The Harlem Gospel Traveler's acclaimed sophomore LP 'Look Up!', we present 'Help Me To Understand,' featuring the heavenly vocals of Aaron Frazer, and written and produced by Eli "Paperboy" Reed. The 45 is then backed with the electric and exciting title track from their recent LP, 'Look Up!'

Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, The Kings Of "Wait, What Is This!!!" Are Back With Another Two-Sider That Has A Little Something For Everyone. Both Of These Songs Are Pulled From Their Forthcoming Full Length Album Expansions.The A Side Is A Gritty, Gully, And Neck Snapping Cover Of The Timbaland Produced Jay-Z Club Hit "Dirt Off Your Shoulder". The Signature Crushing Bacao Drums Start The Show And The Moment They Start Playing The Top Line On The Steel Pans All Bets Are Off. They Push The Tune To New Heights And Places Adding Brass Arrangements And Working Around The Original Riff Never Losing The Groove. The Way They Walk The Line Between The Original And Making It Their Own Will Woo Hip Hop Heads And Funk Enthusiasts Alike.The B Side Finds Brsb Taking It Straight To The Discoteque And Ushering Everyone To The Floor As They Cover Sylvester's Underground Classic "I Need Somebody To Love Tonight". While Bacao Have Laid Down A Few Four On The Floor Numbers On Previous Albums This Is The First One Making Its Way To A 7" And We Are Sure It Will Get Their Music Into A New Sector Of DJs Playboxes.

Holy Hive Is Back With A New Set Of Songs While They Are Still Enjoying The Growing Success Of Their 2020 Debut Album, Float Back To You. Their Signature "Folk Soul" Sound Has Earned Them A Diverse Group Of Fans Around The Globe And Sets Them Apart From Fellow Groups Lumped Into The Indie/Folk Algorithm. These Two Songs Were Written And Recorded At A Small House In The Desert Of The Yucca Valley. Both Of Them Are Stripped Down To Holy Hive's Core Instrumentation Of Bass, Drums, Guitar And Vocals.The A Side "I Don't Envy Yesterdays" Is A Tune That Deals With The Role Time Plays In The Human Experience. Spring's Falsetto Vocals Wax Poetic About Futility And Acceptance While Homer Steinweiss' Drumming In Itself Creates A Subplot About The Boundaries Of Time. In True Holy Hive Fashion, They Take On These Deep Philosophical And Abstract Concepts Yet Come Out Sounding As Light And Easy As A Summer Day.The B Side Is A Story Of Lost Love. Paul Paints A Beautiful Picture For The Listener. But This Time, Instead Of Committing To Not Living In The Past, He Is Overcome By The Memories That The Rain Conjures Up. The Title "Color It Easy" Aptly Describes Holy Hive's Ability To Capture Emotion With Simple Songs And Arrangements. While These Songs Might Not Paint The Most Detailed And Intricate Picture, The Simplicity Of The Colors And Brush Strokes Are Filled With Longing And Love. This 7" Should Hold Everyone Over While They Put The Finishing Touches On Their Sophomore Full Length Record Due Out In Fall Of 2021.

Liam Bailey Follows Up His 'Ekundayo' Album With This Heavy Hitting Remix 7" Featuring Two Absolute Legends.The A Side Is A Remix Of Champion Featuring Black Thought Of The Roots. Black Thought Kills The First Verse Finding The Pocket Over The Leon Michels Produced Reggae Banger Designed To Bust Up Woofers And Blow Out Dance Floors. Liam And Thought Combine To Sing Praises To A Woman Worthy Of All The Admiration They Can Muster, And In Doing So, They Take What Was Already A Classic To Another Level.The B Side Is Straight From The Far Flung Corners Of Outer Space. Producer Leon Michels Strips Down And Revamps The Album Cut Ugly Truth, Making Room For The Most Special Of Guests, The One And Only, Mr. Lee "Scratch" Perry. The Upsetter Switches Between Singing And Talking, One Minute Proclaiming His Powers And The Next Playing With The Title Of The Original Tune. Some Proper Lee Perry Business Alongside The Already Unstoppable Chemistry Of Liam Bailey And Leon Michels...An Absolute Big Crown Surehot.

Brainstory Is Back With A Pairing Of Tunes That The World's Top Sommelier Couldn't Hold A Candle To. This Gorgeous Two-Sider Features The Two Vocal Songs From Their Otherwise Instrumental Forthcoming Ep, Ripe.On Side A, Seasons Showcase Brainstory's Sunny California Soul And Mixes In A Touch Of Roy Ayers East Coast Energy. The Result Is An Infectious And Uplifting Tune Penned At The Beginning Of Quarantine With The Hope Of Finding A Brightside In The Trouble The World Is Facing.Sibe B, Bye Bye, Is Another Stone Cold B Side Ballad From The Group That Gave Us Dead End. The Darling Dears Of Rialto Have Recorded What Is Sure To Become Another Staple In Sweet Soul Sets Around The Globe. But, In True Brainstory Fashion This Tune Is Uniquely Theirs. Elements Of Psych, Hip Hop And Jazz Distance It From Their Soul-Loving Peers.

Must have two-sider from El Michels Affair. The A side "Reasons" is a collaboration that is sure to get all the Soul collectors very, very excited. Last time Bobby Oroza was in New York El Michels invited him to the studio to cut a tune together. Bobby took this opportunity to take us all on a journey to the existential side of his mind on this gorgeous and ethereal ballad covered in lush guitar notes. Oroza's voice finds it's place perfectly over the track, talking us through the human struggle and still creating that energy that is uniquely his and has become his signature sound. The B side "Hipps" is pulled from El Michels Affair's recently released modern masterpiece Adult Themes. In a day and age when the album format is being taken over by singles and playlists Adult Themes is a record that truly has to be listened to in the context of the whole album to be understood. This made it hard for us to pick a tune from it for this 7". "Hipps" cuts in with a crushing drum beat and is quickly joined by the unmistakable horn arrangements that Leon has become famous for. In true EMA fashion the arrangement on this piece can't be touched, closing one's eyes and listening will induce anyone to a vivid visual fantasy. It turns out to be something of a chapter from a book, and we recommend you treat yourself to the front to back experience of Adult Themes.

Following up on the massive success of Lee Fields recently released full length "It Rains Love" we drop another 45 for the DJs and collectors. This time showing off two different sides of Lee & The Expressions range. The A side "Wake Up" is Lee's heavy duty, drum driven, anthemic tune for the times. Fields calls out the highly over-used and abused term of the current presidency "fake news." Over a hard as nails sound bed courtesy of The Expressions he goes on asking people to wake up and not let this propaganda sway them from knowing what is right and wrong. The B side "You're What's Needed In My Life" is a gushing testament to the beauty of love. Solidifying his title as the Professor of Love it's almost like he's writing your girl's valentine for you. Going beyond how happy the woman he is singing to makes him and telling of how she makes everyone she meets happier. This two-sider is about as classic as possible, a heavy duty funk banger on the A side, and nothing but love on the ballad B side. Another classic and timeless offering from the one and only Lee Fields.

Holy Hive, the group that coined the genre Folk/Soul, comes out swinging with this monster of a two-sider. The A side "Oh I Miss Her So" is pulled from their recently released Harping EP: a drop dead gorgeous tune of love and longing, featuring the harping of Mary Lattimore. The tune serves as a testament to The Hive's gift for songwriting and arrangement, taking the listener on a ride from the first notes of Paul's falsetto to the outro featuring Dave Guy's (The Roots) gorgeous trumpet solo. The B Side is The Hive's crushing cover of Sunny & The Sunliners' classic "If I Could See You Now". Homer's world renown drumming provides an instant dance floor backbone to the tune while Paul's signature vocals add a welcome twist giving the original version a proper run for its money. This cover is pulled from the forthcoming Big Crown Records label compilation "Dear Sunny" a collection of Sunny covers done by the roster of Big Crown artists.

Big Crown Records is proud to present the debut single from the newest band on the roster, Holy Hive.

Comprised of Paul Spring, Homer Steinweiss, and Joe Harrison, Holy Hive obscures genre lines and has a style and energy uniquely their own.

Side A, “This Is My Story”, is a cover of the Invincible’s cult classic from 1968. Holy Hive takes the tune into modern times while keeping just enough of the original. The horns and vibraphone rip into the speakers from the first note and Paul Spring’s ethereal and honeyed vocals sit atop Homer’s infamous drumming like an ox pecker on a black rhinos back.
The B Side, “Blue Light” is a perfect representation of the sound that is wholly unique to Holy Hive. With a less is more ethos, they craft an intimate space that is equal parts Jessica Pratt, The Persuaders, and Julian Bream.

With their full length getting wrapped up now, Big Crown Records is proud to present the
debut single from Finland’s own Bobby Oroza.
Side A, This Love is already an underground classic, and has been a huge hit with the
sweet soul crowd since it’s original release last year on Timmion Records. Produced by
Cold Diamond & Mink and recorded at Timmion Studios in Helsinki, Finland, this team has
clearly got the magic. With its tough drums, maverick guitar work, in the cut bass, and
Bobby’s calm yet pleading monotone vocals, this is one hell of a song and an absolute must
have for Soul collectors.
Side B is the never before heard and very well executed homage to Sunny & The Sunliners
classic song, Should I Take You Home. Bobby takes the task of covering a near perfect
tune and does it justice by making it their own while never losing sight of the magic that
makes Sunny’s original so sublime. This is going to take the sweet soul crowd by storm and
is a perfect follow up to the already beloved,This Love. Another Big Crown Sure shot.

Following the success of the extensive reissue project that we did with Sunny’s & The Sunliners,
(2017’s Mr Brown Eyed Soul compilation, Smile Now, Cry Later & Missing Link full length reissues,
and 2018’s reissue of Little Brown Eyed Soul LP) we bring you another must have 7 inch offering
from his catalogue.
Side A is Sunny’s cover of Get Down, one of the rarest and hardest tunes from his extensive
discography. Only appearing on a Key Loc 45 and very rarely showing up in decent condition, if at
all, it lives mostly on funk collector’s want lists. Although they have covered James Brown, Hugh
Masekela, and The Meters this is commonly agreed to be the funkiest thing they’ve ever cut.
Side B is their version of the Billy Stewart classic Cross My Heart, a tune even some of the most
diehard Sunny fans seem to have not known existed prior to the Mr Brown Eyed Soul compilation.
A sweet soul classic recently made popular again via Jay Electronica’s Just Blaze produced
underground hit Exhibit C, which sampled the Stewart version. Collector’s and music lovers alike
will be happy to see this song available on 7” format for the first time ever.

Thee Lakesiders are a duo out of Los Angeles comprised of Marie and Necalli who we were introduced to by our friend El Oms. He thought it would be great to get them out here to NY and into the the studio with El Michels. Turns out, he was very right. They spent two days in The Diamond Mine with The Shacks as their backing band and Leon producing and writing with them and cut three songs. Two of which are here on this nice two sider of a 45.

Side A “Si Me Falteras” is worked up into something of a Latin Psych number, it’s a cover of Los Terricolas’s tune they cut in 1973 redone with some more muscle. Ben’s driving beat and Max’s guitar work set the stage for Marie to showcase the powerful side of her voice.

Side B “Parachute” finds them in one of their favorite styles, a dreamy ballad that floats over guitar chanks, brush hits, and vibraphone rolls. This time Marie shows us a different side of her range, her beautiful and lush vocals ride perfectly in the pocket making for a gorgeous b side that can ride right alongside the oldies.

Big Crown Records is proud to present this tough as nails split 7”

The A side is Paul Ramos version of the Mandrill classic “Fence Walk”. Originally released on the Harlem label, and later licensed to Falcon only to oddly appear on their Kris Bravo LP. Ramos stays close to the original, but adds enough to the tune to make it a must have for funk collectors.

The B side “Funky Resurgence” comes by way of vibes player/bandleader Ulysses Crockett who was a stalwart on the Bay Area scene of the 1960's first with his Latin Jazz group Afro Blue Persuasion and later Ulysses Crockett Magic. He also played in The Skins w/ the legendary Bill Graham. "Funky Resurgence" was one of several compositions he wrote for the 1971 play "Resurgence." During this period, Ulysses was also going through law school and he remains a legal voice, writer and activist in the Bay Area.

Big Crown records is proud to present the first single from The Shacks debut album Haze, out worldwide March 30th. Since the release of their self titled EP in 2016 The Shacks have been collecting fans that are fast becoming as hypnotized as we've been since first hearing Shannon’s ethereal voice on top of “Strange Boy"". Highlights of the year have been opening tours for Chicano Batman, and Khruangbin, as well as ""This Strange Effect"" becoming world famous via the Apple iPhone 8 ad campaign. The A side, “Follow Me”, was one of the first songs recorded for Haze almost two years ago. With “black mirror” esque lyrics over a hypnotic mid tempo groove, Follow Me leaves you feeling joyful, calmed, and queasy, all at the same time. The B side “Texas” is an another song from their upcoming album. Recorded in Max Shrager's home studio in Princeton and then finished with Leon Michels at the Diamond Mine in Queens. Texas is a perfect representation of The Shacks signature sound with Shannon’s voice balancing out the gritty yet smooth production.

Before the release of their debut album, we are dropping one more 45 with a newly recorded version of "Audrey Hepburn," a tune off their self titled EP from 2016 and "Fly Fishing", a B side exclusive to this single.

For most of 2017, The Shacks have been honing their skills as a live band playing in and around NYC as well as opening for bands like Chicano Batman and Khurangbin. Some of their studio creations which favor the soft, dream pop side of their repitoire, have been reworked for the live show setting. Audrey Hepburn (Spending All My Time) is an example of that. When we first heard their reworked version at a gig in Brooklyn, we called them the next day and asked them to cut to tape the way they had switched it up for the live set. The result is this catchy single, so strong we had to press a 45 for it.

The B Side, "Fly Fishing" is one of many tracks The Shacks have sitting in the vault. Constantly writing and recording, the group has amassed a huge catalog of music. Fly Fishing starts out with a raucous syncopated intro dropping into a floaty groove The Shacks are know for. It's also their drummer's grandma's favorite song.

The A side “This Strange Effect” is an updated take on the Ray Davies penned classic
from 1965. The Shacks version is currently featured in the Apple iPhone 8 global ad
campaign that has been playing on television during prime time spots such as the
World Series, Saturday Night Live, NFL & college football games, TV shows, and
much more. The social media video plays combined across youtube, facebook, and
instagram are upwards of 20 Million views worldwide. The lead actor in the spot is the
lead singer of The Shacks, Shannon. The band has played all over New York City
since the release of their EP and is currently on a US Tour with Chicano Batman &
Khruangbin. With radio support across the states and Europe, and this ad playing non
stop globally it looks like The Shacks have a hit on their hands with “This Strange
Effect”
The B Side “Hands In Your Pockets” finds The Shacks dipping their toe into the
rocksteady / reggae world. Recorded with the rhythm section of the infamous
Frightnrs of Daptone Records fame, Shannon’s floaty vocal stylings are right at home
on a new jack reggae rhythm.

Big Crown Records presents another killer two sider pulled from Lee Fields & The Expressions instant classic "Special Night". With Lee touring the world from sold out show to sold out show supporting his album, we give the DJs and collectors another must have 45.

The A side "Never Be Another You" finds Lee & The Expressions taking another turn on the formula their success has been built on. An unorthodox track to find on a soul album made to fit perfectly, once again pushing the aesthetics of analog soul further into the present. Lee confesses his love and appreciation for his woman walking the fine line of vulnerability and strength.

The B- side "Lover Man" is equal parts rough and smooth. The production and the band come off with a thunderous backing track that takes it's time to get to full sail while Lee lays down some tell it like it is lyrics. Fields comes to the microphone with the confidence only a man with his track record could putting down what life is like with him if the woman he is after just let's it be that way.

Check out this essential garage Zamrock/Soul/Funk single as the first official reissue of the celebrated band’s one and only album!

The musical style that became known as Zamrock came to embody the economic despair that followed the 1973-1974 oil crisis, which flung Zambia into recession and exacerbated a wide range of social tensions. Much of Zamrock also captured the controversy of wider politics in Africa and the world. Perhaps the finest example of this is Black Power by The Peace. - The Guardian The Boyfriends, from Kitwe’s Chamboli Mine Township, supplied the founding members for Zamrock’s most famous band, Witch, and kick started one of Zamrock’s best bands, Peace. Their sole Zamrock entry, “Black Power”, recorded at Malachite Film Studio circa 1973/4 and issued circa 1975, sounds like nothing else in the Zamrock canon: a lost message drifiting from the flower power era, imbued with a fiery Zambian voice.

Mr Fields is back with a funk burner sure to light up every dance floor it
plays to. There couldn’t be a better time for an optimistic anthem from the
seasoned wisdom of Lee. The Expressions tearing this track apart with
driving horns and guitars over monster drums and the slick arrangements
we have all come to love them for. Leon Michels & Tommy Brenneck’s
production bringing together some of the finest players doing it today with
Lee’s inimitable voice reminding and encouraging us to get together and
make some changes, changes that are ours to make.
Another Big Crown sureshot.

Big Crown Records is proud to present Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band’s new 45, “Scorpio” b/w “8th Wonder”. Coming after the smashing success of their debut full length “55” they drop 2 B-Boy classics back to back on this tough two sider that comes in a beautifully illustrated picture sleeve.
The A side “Scorpio” is a killer cover of the Dennis Coffey breakbeat staple. BRSB turn up the tempo a touch on the original doing the tune justice with crushing drums they have become known for. This is sure to be in every breakbeat enthusiasts box. The B side features the non album cut, BRSB’s cover of The Sugarhill Gang’s 8th Wonder, a tune that lends itself to pans like it was written for them. Another dance floor winner sure to be in DJs sets the world over shortly.

Big Crown Records is proud to present Do It Again the first single from Lady Wray’s new album Queen Alone. The 45 and upcoming album is produced by Leon Michels and Thomas Brenneck.