Glorious Game

Rather than answer with a fresh batch of the distressed soul and funk instrumentals for which his El Michels Affair is known, bandleader and musician Michels challenged himself by combining live instrumentation with sampling, sourcing both his collection and purpose-composed songs with additional newly played elements on some cuts from Affair associates and Brainstory, a like-minded L.A. trio with releases on his Big Crown label.

It seems so obvious. Black Thought—a soulful, GOAT-discussion MC who feels right at home over live instrumentation after 30+ years with The Roots—links up with Wu-Tang-covering soul group El Michels Affair, helmed by original Dap-Kings member and prolific collaborator Leon Michels.

Black Thought’s creative run continues. Last year’s Danger Mouse link-up ‘Cheat Codes’ became a breakout success, lauded by 6Music alongside a host of

Glorious Game by El Michels Affair and Black Thought album review: effortlessly old school hip-hop from two masters of their craft