A double-sider of "Logika," a romantic mid-number with vocalist Natassya Sianturi's sweet, smooth voice, impressive guitar riffs, and reverb-filled rim shots, and "True Love," a moody tango-style rhythm and guitar. We can't wait for the album. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

A multinational band centered around German singer and saz player Derya Yıldırım—who has Turkic heritage—and featuring members from France and the United Kingdom, known for their captivating, richly Turkish-psychedelic sound. The rhythm section blends the alluring phrases and exotic vocals of the “saz”—a traditional Turkish guitar with an oriental ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)tone reminiscent of the sitar—with the “BIG CROWN”-style boom bap, hip-hop, and soulful performances. The production is a must-hear for fans of ’90s hip-hop and beats in the Native Tongue vein. Naturally, it’s produced by label head Leon Michels. It seems they’re hard at work on an album as well, so I’m really looking forward to it! Highly recommended. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

The mid-tempo track “Be A Witness”—featuring a bottom-heavy drum machine, a funky bassline, and Nicole’s bouncy vocals—features session musician and multi-instrumentalist Nick Movshon, known for his work with Mark Ronson and Leon Michels, on bass. It’s a fresh track that opens up a new direction for Lady Ray’s sound. The gospel-like R&B ballad “Bes ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)t For Us,” which sings of love and overcoming difficult times, features Homer, a renowned drummer from BIG CROWN. It’s a great track—one that’s impossible not to get emotional over—and Knxwledge, who was recently in Japan, also played on it. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

El Michels Affair—aka Leon Michels, the head of BIG CROWN—is extremely busy, having even won a Grammy Award for his work as a producer. His sound is meticulously crafted, drawing inspiration from ’80s and ’90s fashion, MF DOOM’s sampling sources, and T.L. Barrett’s gospel music.
Florence Adooni, hailed as the “Gospel Queen” of the Fula Fula tri ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)be in northern Ghana, has garnered attention for her collaborations on tracks by Jimi Tenor (she also released her first solo album, A.O.E.I.U., earlier this year). “Say Goodbye” features cute vocals, bouncy basslines and drums, and a chorus that sticks in your head; “Mágica” is a jazz-funk track brimming with groove and saudade, featuring Rogê, one of the top singer-songwriters in contemporary Brazilian MPB; “Anticipate” (sample 1), featuring Clairo—the Atlanta singer-songwriter known for her soft vocals whose album Charm, produced by Leon Michels, became a global hit— the psychedelic and romantic mid-tempo track “Indifference” (sample 2), featuring Shintaro Sakamoto, which was the talk of the town even before the album’s release; a reunion with Norah Jones—whose collaborative album with Leon Michels, Visions, won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance; and the melancholic, poignant funk ballad “Carry Me Away” (sample 3)—every track is so wonderful that I’d love to provide a detailed commentary on each one, and since the track order tells a cohesive story, I highly recommend listening to the album from start to finish. Be sure to also listen closely to the fantastic backing musicians, featuring BIG CROWN artists such as Kevin Martin (Gt, Brainstory) and Homer Steinweiss (Dr). The album artwork, featuring a championship trophy you’ll want to display, is also top-notch. This is one of my top recommendations of the year. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

The guitar riffs are ear-catching, and Natasha's voice is sweet and glamorous. The song "Harap Dan Ragu" (sample_1) is about life and death and human relationships, sung in her native language, Indonesian. The sweet ballad "Through the Changes" is the quintessential Marloes song, "I'd Be Lost" (sample_2), a swing-inducing, love-filled love song tha ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)t also appeared on the preceding 7inch, and "Boru" sung in Batak, the traditional language of North Sumatra, which evokes their roots. Boru," which is sung in Batak, a traditional language of North Sumatra, and many other good songs. Following their debut album "Perak", we are sure to listen to this album as well. Recommendation! (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

The trio band consists of Natassya Sianturi on vocals/keys, Sinatrya Dharaka on guitar/keys, and Tommy Satwick on drums. Natassya's sweet and smooth voice, impressive guitar riffs, and rim shots with lots of reverb make for a romantic mid-number, "Logika"(piano). Four songs were released as 7inch singles before the album release, including the mid- ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)number "Logika" (sample_1) and the debut track "Midnight Hotline" with its punchy horn line, bouncy backbeat, impressive lyrics and catchy hook that draws you in with a late-night love story. All four songs released as 7inch singles before the album's release are included. In the past few years, we have seen a lot of good city pop and soul bands in the Indonesian indie scene, and I imagine that it is the sense of mellow and sweet music that has been nurtured in such an environment. My personal heavy play is the R&B ballad "Over" (sample_3) with its gospel-like chorus. The Osaka concert was very nice. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

The album opens with the upbeat “Frizzante”—which was also released as a 7-inch single—followed by the dreamy and melancholic “I Can’t Control This Bliss,” featuring the dream pop indie band Dream Crease, the mellow track “Crema” (sample_1), which weaves a sound as lustrous as a pearl; “Miss Neptune feat. Elizabeth Steiner” (sample_2), featuring a ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)reggae bassline and harp—an unexpected yet exquisite combination of richness and groove; “Catoni” (sample_3), a collaboration with labelmates 13th Ward Social Club—a band known for their hip-hop-infused beats and cinematic sound; the thrilling fusion number “Sprezzatura,” which evokes car chase scenes; and “Hip Then,” reminiscent of Labi Siffre’s “I Got The...” and sure to make rare groove fans smile—these are just a few of the 14 tracks on this album, from which it’s impossible to narrow down the best picks.
This album began as a personal creative experiment, inspired by Italian film music and melodies, with songs written purely on intuition. It features a stellar lineup of guests—including Molly Lewis, Dave Guy, and harpist Elizabeth Steiner—who enhance the cinematic atmosphere. Be sure to check out the tracks on the tracklist. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

The A-side features “Don’t Forget Me Love,” which beautifully contrasts the heavy, bumbap rhythm section with Jazmine Alvarado’s cute vocals, while the B-side includes an instrumental version titled “Sing Your Song.” With Kevin Martin on board as co-producer, the harmonies in the guitar parts have gained even more depth. Given that all the members ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)are still in their early 20s, it’s exciting to think about how much further they’ll evolve from here. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

Side A, "I'd Be Lost," is a sweet love song in which vocalist Natasha honors a man who only wants her love. With a gorgeous four-track backing track, this song is one that will have you stepping right up on the dance floor, while the B-side, "What's On Your Mind," is a slow number with heavy drums, rising sitar, and piano. The song is about the mys ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)tery and allure of an instant attraction and the desire to let your guard down while keeping your cool. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

The album features the superb two-step number "Under the Silver Moon," which sings about both the bittersweetness and sweetness of a long-distance relationship, backed by relaxing rhythms and mellow guitars, and the mid-number "Through the Changes," which depicts the feeling of wishing to see your deceased loved one but wondering if you should cont ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)inue to think about him or her. Through the Changes" is a mid-tempo number that depicts the feeling of wanting to meet a loved one who has passed away, but not knowing whether or not to continue to think about them. The silky and lustrous voice of vocalist/keyboardist Natassya has also been polished. We are very much looking forward to the album. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

The A-side features “Frizzante,” a highly addictive track with a catchy, upbeat riff, flowing piano, rich horn arrangements, and layered electric piano and synths, while the B-side features the melancholic, film-score-like “Turandot.” The album features Marianne Mirage, an Italian singer-songwriter with a captivating voice that enhances the vintage atmosphere. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

Their debut album Rêverie (2023) was fantastic, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting more of their music. The prayer-like mid-tempo ballad “Only Love” (sample_1) features hard-hitting drum breaks and a poignant hook that repeats, “Only love can set us free…” "With You," featuring shuffling drums and a dance-like piano line; "Again & Again" (sample_2), wh ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)ich depicts the strength to overcome failed romances, heartache, and disappointment through a melancholic sound; and "You & I" (sample_3), where flowing piano and guitar and lighthearted drums that make your heart race, “You & I” (sample_3)—this album once again features 12 tracks written around themes of views on life and death, escapism, and various experiences related to love. With his soft, wistful vocal style and aim for soul music, Morten Martens reveals a new side of himself that is even more imbued with melancholy than his previous work. It’s a truly excellent album. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

The single pairs “You & I”—a heart-pounding track featuring piano, guitar, beautiful layered backing vocals, and upbeat drums—with “Miss The Days,” a lush and melancholic slow number featuring a duet with the enigmatic singer Ama Li, set to a gently pulsing drumbeat and a performance that gradually builds in intensity. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

〈BIG CROWN〉の殆どのリリース作のプロデュースから、Norah Jonesのアルバム『Visions』のプロデュースでグラミー賞を受賞するなど、多忙を極めるレーベル主宰 Leon Michels こと El Michels Affair。 2025年のリリース以降ロングヒット継続中のソロ・アルバム『24 Hr Sports』から、BIG CROWN恒例のインスト盤が到着しました。 ソロとはいっても、これまでリリースしてきたアーティストたちがハウスバンドのような形で出演しているため、本インスト・アルバムはBIG CROWNオールスターズといったような楽しみ方が最適だと思います。偉大なるRahsaan Roland Kirkによるサックスソロが堪能できる「Take My Hand」(sa ...Read more (AYAM)mple_3)、コーラスを抜いたことで一気にエレピが主役となったメロウ・トラック「Clean The Line」(sample_1)、坂本氏の歌声が無くとも、アレンジに世界観が滲み出てしまっているのが面白い「Indifference」(sample_2)など、本編を未聴であっても演奏者たちの実力のプレイがじっくりと堪能できる嬉しい一枚。 (AYAM)

El Michels Affair, led by BIG CROWN head Leon Michels, backs him up here, so the deep, heavy rhythm section work is guaranteed. It opens with "7th Heaven" (sample_1), whose trippy mixing gives you goosebumps, and of course includes the advance singles "Footwork" (sample_2), a Latin-inspired jazz dancer, and "Morning Glory." The B-side, which grows ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)more cinematic and lyrical as it goes, pulls you right in. The dramatic sequencing feels like a direct packaging of the broad perspective he's gained from years of witnessing the New York scene, from hip-hop to soul to jazz. Lovely stuff. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

The muscular rhythm section and high-caliber musicianship are still very much intact, but this time around they've ditched the meticulous songwriting and recording techniques in favor of a looser, more improvisational style. From the album opener "Sleep Dreams" — quintessential Surprise Chef — to "Bully Ball" (sample_1), a gritty funk cut with stri ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)king hard-edged drums and piano phrases, and "Fare Evader" (sample_3), whose synth tones sound like the sound effects of a robot from a retro sci-fi film (way too cute), the whole thing has a breezy, vintage, sun-dried quality. A really cool shift in style. 11 tracks in all, and the jacket is great too. Highly recommended. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)

レコーディングでほぼすべての楽器を演奏/プロデュースとアレンジを手がけるMorten Martens、デビュー作とは思えぬクオリティと世界観の完成度。実は彼は十年以上もプロデュース業に携わっており、2006年にはノルウェーのhiphopグループDarkside Of The Forceのプロデュースでスペレマン賞（別名ノルウェーのグラミー賞）を受賞したほか、他の3つのジャンルでもノミネートされていいたりと、現地では既に評価されている才能なのでした。好評のリードシングルでもあった、イントロの無骨なドラムブレイクから、艶やかなピアノとシタール、切ないリフのミッドナンバー「Falling Away」(sample_1)や「Love & Flowers」(sample_2)など、ソウルを軸に、どこか ...Read more (AYAM)エレガントで独特なポップスのセンスが滲み出ています。Morten Martens本人が 'ソウル・ミュージックをプレイしているけれどソウルの声ではないんだ' と語っており、これが無二のサウンドになっているのかと納得。2023年の個人ベストに入った一枚です。大推薦 (AYAM)

With the release of their fifth album coming up soon, this compilation features covers of classic songs from a wide range of genres—from hip-hop to jazz, soul, and pop—originally released between 2008 and 2023. The album opens with a cover of Bob James’ iconic breakbeat track “Nautilus,” followed by Khruangbin’s classic “Maria También,” reworked wi ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM)th a bass-heavy drum arrangement, Royce the 5’9”’s J Dilla-produced “Let’s Grow,” 50 Cent’s “PIMP (Version),” the familiar mellow classic “Juicy Fruit” (sample_2)—which samples The Notorious B.I.G. and Warren G—as well as covers of hip-hop anthems like Gang Starr’s "All For The Cash" (sample_3), as well as the Jackson 5’s “Great To Be Here” and Billy Jones’ dancefloor burner “Lookout Baby (Here I Come),” the album races full throttle from start to finish. This is a welcome release that lets you enjoy a wide selection of their tracks—many of which have been released as 7-inch singles—all in one go. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)