Big Crown US Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The latest must-cop record from the good people at Big Crown is a real summer special. Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band serve up some seriously soul-enriching grooves, with the impossibly warm and good time vibes that come from steel drums on each and every one. The beats are rooted in funk, with fat bass and expressive horn work bring each one to life. There are sojourns into dub, disco and jazz, and the whole thing bris with so much character and personality that it cannot but put a smile on your face.

Review: German funkateer Bjorn Wagner launched the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band in 2007 following months spent learning to play steel drums during an extended stay in Trinidad and Tobago. 11 years on, Wagner and his trusty backing band return with album number two, "The Serpent's Mouth". As usual, the set sees them gleefully combine killer grooves - a mix-and-match fusion of funk, soul, hip-hop and jazz-funk - with a hint of humid tropical music and the distinctive melodies of oil barrel steel drums. There are, of course, nods to reggae and calypso (see "Real Hot") and a few eyebrow-raising cover versions, of which their rendition of Jan Hammer's "Crockett's Theme" from "Miami Vice" stands out.

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: Big Crown Records is proud to present Zero Grace, Liam Bailey's sophomore album on the label. Following the success of 2020's Ekundayo album, the tried and true chemistry of Bailey and producer Leon Michels (El Michels Affair) is on full display again as they take the sound they established and push it further. On Zero Grace they lean more into the bleeding heart singer-songwriter side of Liam. The album is full of freedom and love; working with Leon Michels and Big Crown Records has encouraged Liam to be himself. On opener 'Holding On', Bailey speaks to his observations & fears when looking out at the world in front of him and also to the dedication it has taken to get on the other side of his personal trials & tribulations. 'Dance With Me', meanwhile, is an instantly infectious two-stepper that nods to those incredible soul records that were coming out of Jamaica during the early reggae days. Bailey addresses the racial tensions that plague humanity and encourages everyone to step up and do their part to help foster equality. What starts out as a declaration of injustice turns into a call for action and an inspiration for hope.

Review: The extraordinary talents of The El Michaels Affair seem to know no bounds. Last time out they served up an album inspired by an imaginary film, and this time on Yeti Season they impress with a whole new bunch of inspirations. Right from the off the album takes us to Turkish-styled funk and an almost Mumbai-esque take on soul, all with the sort of big grooves and lovely horns that often define the band's output. Full of drama, emotion, and worldly influences, this is another stunner from the unstoppable El Michaels Affair.

Review:  The extraordinary talents of The El Michaels Affair seem to know no bounds. Last time out they served up an album inspired by an imaginary film, and this time on Yeti Season they impress with a whole new bunch of inspirations. Right from the off the album takes us to Turkish-styled funk and an almost Mumbai-esque take on soul, all with the sort of big grooves and lovely horns that often define the band's output. Full of drama, emotion, and worldly influences, this is another stunner from the unstoppable El Michaels Affair.

Review: 'Glorious Game' is the latest addition to the LP pile by hip-hop / soul artist El Michels Affair, wh has teamed up with The Roots' Black Thought here for a comprehensive meditation on the state of the hip-hop scene in the early 2020s. Coming to a variety of formats, this version of the LP is a standard vinyl version; also check out the limited edition 'sky high coloured' version featured on our site.

Review: Lady Wray is one of the brightest talents in the field of neo-soul, and now she's back with her second album. There's something ultimately classic about her sound on this new record, tapping into the deep heritage of US soul as you might expect to hear from Gloria Ann Taylor or Minnie Ripperton, with bombastc songwriting and a gutsy, 70s-indebted production that sounds like honey in your ears. Throw in a tough boom-bap slant on the drums - not least on 'Games People Play' - which should have old-skool hip-hoppers nodding with approval, and you've got a new essential from the ever-strong Big Crown stable.

Review: Lady Wray is one of the brightest talents in the field of neo-soul, and now she's back with her second album. There's something ultimately classic about her sound on this new record, tapping into the deep heritage of US soul as you might expect to hear from Gloria Ann Taylor or Minnie Ripperton, with bombastc songwriting and a gutsy, 70s-indebted production that sounds like honey in your ears. Throw in a tough boom-bap slant on the drums - not least on 'Games People Play' - which should have old-skool hip-hoppers nodding with approval, and you've got a new essential from the ever-strong Big Crown stable

Review: Big Crown Records is proud to present the debut full length offering from Les Imprimes, Reverie. The stirring and ethereal sounds of Les Imprimes have been making fans of anyone who hears them since their first 7" single hit the speakers. Morten Martens is the man behind the band. Born, raised, and working in Kristiansand, Norway, he keeps a low profile while making his heartfelt, highly infectious and unique music. Playing nearly every instrument, Martens lays down a sprawling, vintage fingerprint, bringing together every influence from soul to beatmaking, all coming glued together by his subtly cathartic voice.

Review: Big Crown have been big gin up the work of Sunny & The Sunliners for a while now with various singles and also an homage compendium Mr Brown Eyed Soul. Now that fine collection is backed up with a second volume that is again packed with gorgeous sounds. They are lo-fi in nature, with dusty drum hatstand shimmering orang chords next to blasts of brass and with soothing vocals all present and correct . Lazy Sundays, love-up dances and plenty in between will all benefit from these glorious tunes.

Review: Introducing the first ever compilation from the Big Crown crew, which is a celebratory look back at some of the label's biggest moments over the last three years. The tracklist takes in new school names as well as now well known stars of the soul world and they all have their own distinctive personalities. Some go for sombre blue-eyed styles, others more raw and old school. Our picks: El Michels Affair with their unique jazz influences on "Tearz" and Brainstory's "Dead End" which is a gorgeous late night lullaby for lovers. There's lots to love here, so big up Big Crown for three years of goodness.