El Michels Affair – Return To The 37th Chamber

Return To The 37th Chamber is El Michels Affairs follow up to 2009s underground cult classic Enter the 37th Chamber.

This time, in addition to re-interpreting the Wu compositions for a live band, EMA pays homage to the production and sonic fog that makes a RZA beat so recognizable. Producer and bandleader Leon Michels recorded the album completely analog, sometimes hitting 6 generations of tape before it was ready for mixing, giving the Return to The 37th Chamber its own hazy sound. Adding to the unique fidelity, the record is laced with psychedelic flourishes, John Carpenter synths, heavy metal guitars, triumphant horns, and traditional Chinese instruments that make up for the lack of the Wus superlative vocals. From start to finish its a dark trip that walks the line between RZAs timeless hip-hop aesthetic and the cinematic soul EMA has become known for.

The vinyl version of Return To The 37th Chamber is presented with 4 different hand painted covers. The originals were painted on two sewn together flour sacks in Accra, Ghana by Heavy J and Stoger, two artists who are legends in the Ghanaian Mobile Cinema scene and regular contributors to the Deadly Prey Gallerys collection in Chicago.

Tracklisting

1. 4th Chamber
2. Iron Man
3. Shaolin Brew
4. Pork Chop Express
5. Snakes
6. Drums For Sale
7. Shadow Boxing
8. Sipped Up
9. Tearz
10. Verbal Intercourse
11. Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nuthing Ta F’ Wit
12. All I Need
13. The End (Eat My Vocals)