Founded in 2001, Lex is an independent record label based in London and distributed internationally.
General Enquiries: word@lexrecords.com
Licensing Requests: licensing@lexrecords.com

When Leon Michels name first appeared on a record, he was 16. That release was Thunder Chicken, and the group was his high school band, The Mighty Imperials. The record was essentially an homage to The Meters, at the time it was near pitch-perfect for the budding retro-soul scene. While that release was an early step for Michels, aspects of it have almost become trademarks of his work: a unique raw-yet-disciplined approach to his sound and songwriting, and a soulful genuineness that has a sense of humor one minute and a sense of solace the next.

Right from the jump his hustling work ethic was evident, always involved in a lot at once. While finishing Thunder Chicken, Michels began touring and recording with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings—which he did for the next 7 years. During that time he was also recording songs in a makeshift home studio and preparing for what would be his first full-length record, Sounding Out The City, and the first release under the name El Michels Affair. In 2004, when Sounding Out The City was recorded, Michels’ obsession with Euro Library, American soul, and early rocksteady crept its way into the songwriting and recording aesthetic, the outcome was something Michels appropriately dubbed “Cinematic Soul.” The album was to be the first release on Truth & Soul Records, a new label Michels co founded.

The lo-fi warm recording aesthetic and bottom heavy production alongside the immediate success of EMA’s debut release lead to playing a show with Raekwon of Wu-Tang fame. That show went over so well it lead to a tour with El Michels backing multiple members of the Wu-Tang Clan. It was these shows that ended up laying the groundwork for the release of El Michels Affair’s second full-length, Enter the 37th Chamber, which eventually introduced them to a worldwide audience. While the band’s fanbase went through the roof, the industry also quickly recognized that EMA was a force to be reckoned with. Almost in a domino effect, a huge range of hip-hop artists sampled Michels’ songs, from Ghostface Killah, Just Blaze, and Jay-Z to J Dilla, J.Cole, and Travis Scott.

While simultaneously running a label, playing / touring, and co-producing other artist’s music Michels helped found The Menahan Street Band, co-produced Aloe Blacc’s sophomore smash LP, Good Things, and received a writer credit on Adele’s Grammy-nominated album, 19. Shortly there after Michels found himself on tour with The Black Keys after being cold-called by Auerbach and asked to join them on the road. It turned out that Auerbach was a big fan of the sound and approach of the Lee Fields record “My World”, which Michels produced. When Auerbach was tapped to make Dr. John’s critically acclaimed album , “Locked Down” and Lana Del Rey’s LP, “Ultraviolence”, Michels was brought along to play and add his signature sound. That led to being included in and touring for Auerbach’s psych-rock project, The Arcs, which features Michels as a musician and co-producer. 

in 2016, Michels co-founded Big Crown Records with Danny Akalapse, the second record label Michels has helped build from the ground. Since then, he has produced a majority of the albums from the labels roster including Lee Fields, Lady Wray, Brainstory, Paul & The Tall Trees, Liam Bailey, and Thee Lakesiders.  Michels has also produced records for Beyonce & Jay-Z’s side project, The Carters, Hanni El Khatib, Chicano Batman, Marco Benevento, and Don Toliver.

In 2020, Michels will release the second album of original material under the El Michels Affair moniker.  The Album, entitled Adult Themes, which Michels calls “the soundtrack to an imaginary movie,” creates a lush, evocative, complex and eclectic collection of tunes that will keep your ears on edge as you nod your head.

HEZUS (He's•us) formed in San Diego, CA in 2008; comprised of husband and wife duo Ian (Drums/Vox/Guitar/Bass/Sounds) and Doreen (Keys/Vox/Sounds/Perc).  The two first met while working at an all-ages concert venue and discovering a shared affection for psychedelia-infused rock, they (along with Tiffany Huang) formed in January 2005 under the name of War&Cinema.  The trio grew into a quintet (adding members Alan Del Rosario and Dano Sanchez) and began playing around town, opening for Dengue Fever, Gris Gris, and Akron/Family.  With an ever-changing lineup and differing (musical) directions, War&Cinema dissolved in late 2008.  
 
The name HEZUS - pronounced He's•us - represents the belief that they are just vessels for the music created by God; though they are quick to point out that they are not a Christian band or a religious/ritualistic group associated with some sort of Christian counter-culture music scene, but rather a couple of down to earth, Christ-minded people who just so happen to be musicians.  They are currently a duo and desire to eventually expand, as long as they can find musicians who are like-minded.  While they are most influenced by 60's & 70's underground, improv, psychedelic, pop, jazz, rock, funk, harmonious soul, library records, and film scores their sound can't quite be pinned down to a particular genre.  Their output jumps from one style to another; reinforcing HEZUS' goal to simply play what they want to hear, have fun, and positively affect people in the process.  

Paris based soulful crew ,lead by #LoikDury & Christophe Disco Minck specialize in movie Soundtrack .

An Idea. An Approach. A Community. 

New Single "Two Sides": https://masego.lnk.to/TwoSidesID

Worldwide Booking: Noah.Simon@unitedtalent.com
Inquiries: masegomgmt@gmail.com

http://www.MasegoMusic.com

Syd, Matt Martian, Patrick Paige, Christopher Allan Smith, and Steve Lacy. EGO DEATH OUT NOW

RHYTHM COMPOSER

Motorbass then Superdiscount then tempovision then superdiscount 2 then Commercial eps then the cube then Superdiscount 3. 

Etienne de Crécy is a key figure of the international electronic scene.
Whether for his live shows, his recordings production or marketing around his projects, Etienne De Crecy has always been considered as a pioneer, thanks to his conceptualized, unique and innovative work.

For those too young to remember the 90s, Etienne de Crécy was the guiding hand behind the albums Super Discount (1997) and Super Discount 2 (2004), featuring contributions from Alex Gopher, Air, Cassius and DJ Mehdi. In that collective venture and in his solo work, Etienne de Crécy has always rejected the facile, remaining fiercely loyal to old-school house and choosing to extensively explore electronic music’s underground labyrinths rather than tread the beaten paths of commercial success.

During his 20-year rise to the summit, the French producer has cut some of the world’s most influential electronic albums: Pansoul (with Philipe Zdar under the name Motorbass), Super Discount, Tempovision and Super Discount 2.

After five years spent blitzing a string of venues with his legendary Beats N'Cubes show - a lavish installation and a live experience as visually brilliant as it was sonic, leaving clubbers and festival-goers dazed - Etienne de Crécy has revived his Super Discount project, ten years after the last, second opus.

contact (at) etiennedecrecy.fr

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