Chapter #41 w/ El Michels Affair by SASHA MARIE RADIO

Hello Family,

I’m so excited to announce my first special guest for this Sunday’s radio show. I can’t think of a better artist to start it off - Leon Michels of El Michels Affair, founder of Big Crown Records.

Michels, a multi-instrumentalist, is a founding member of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Lee Fields & The Expressions, and Menahan Street Band. He has created with Wu-Tang Clan, Chicano Batman, Freddie Gibs, Nicole Wray, and more. His work has been sampled by Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, Ghostface, and more.

When I first heard Michels’ music, I was moved by how cinematic and soulful it sounded. I thought that I had stumbled upon an old gem from the 60’s or 70’s. His sound definitely struck a chord in my heart, and it felt like something I could have listened to with my pops. During quarantine I really got to dive deep into Big Crown’s discography. I’ve sprinkled so many of their releases throughout my shows. Artists like Bobby Oroza, 79.5, Liam Bailey, and The Shacks were in constant rotation. The music Big Crown puts out feels nostalgic but also very much now. It’s absolutely timeless.

((tracklist available via sashamarie.co))