SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: VARIOUS ARTISTS – 10 YEARS OF BIG CROWN RECORDS

VARIOUS ARTISTS
10 YEARS OF BIG CROWN RECORDS
BIG CROWN RECORDS

Big Crown Records, based in New York City, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, with a sprawling collection of some of their best-known artists and songs. Leon Michels and Danny Akalepse started Big Crown Records in 2016, and since then it has gone on to be a very respected and intriguing independent label. This album, 10 Years of Big Crown Records, is the tip of the iceberg, but it is a well put together sampler of the music they have released and continue to release. As with independent labels of the 1950s to the 1970s, Big Crown Records focuses on seven-inch singles, or 45s as we used to call them in the days gone by. This is near and dear to my heart. Albums are fine, but a good single…nothing like it.

The label does not have a specific sound, the music ranges from R&B through to rock, and all points in between. The common thread, it is all great. Whether it is the cool sounds of an R&B steel drum band (Bacao Rhythm and Steel Band) or the soulful sounds of the wonderful Lady Wray or the easy listening sounds of The Shacks, there is something here of interest for everybody. Big Crown Records has a very diverse roster, which makes an album like this an absolute joy. A group like Paul and The Tall Trees is smooth R&B-soul, while elsewhere there is the ska sounds of Big Chef and reggae from Liam Bailey.

Listening to this album, time stands still. It doesn’t matter how old or new the tracks are, there are great sounds pouring out of your speakers. Some artists get multiple tracks (for example, Lady Wray, which is more than fine by me) which allows listeners to hear different sides and sounds from the artist.

There is a lot more to celebrate with this album than just the ten years of music. Big Crown Records is bringing back the excitement and thrill of music. The music never went away, but it took a record company like Big Crown Records to make it available again. 10 Years of Big Crown Records is an interesting double album from people who specialize in singles, and we should all be thankful it is available. 10 Years of Big Crown Records takes the listener to places we may not have been for a while, and I sure am glad to revisit them again. Happy Birthday or Anniversary Big Crown Records, I sure am glad you are here.

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