Lee Fields & El Michels Affair give reggae rework to "Never Be Another You"
Storied soul great Lee Fields teamed up with longtime associates El Michels Affair for a new single, a reggae rework of “Never Be Another You” from Lee’s 2017 album Special Night. “For years, Lee Fields has been asking for and patiently waiting on a reggae rhythm to sing over,” reads the announcement from Big Crown Records (which was co-founded by El Michels Affair’s Leon Michels). “To bring this dream to fruition, EMA teamed up with frequent collaborator and reggae enthusiast, Nick Movshon, and busted out this version of the Lee Fields & The Expressions’ instant classic, ‘Never Be Another You.'” The reggae version suits Lee as naturally as the original soul version does, and the added hop in the reggae version’s step makes this one extra lively. The song is coming out as a 7″ single, backed by a mostly-instrumental, psychedelic rework of the track. The A-side makes its premiere below.
Big Crown also partnered with Wilson & Willy’s for a new shirt, and purchases of the shirt come with a free copy of the “Never Be Another You” 45. The description reads: “The Big Crown X Wilson & Willy’s cut and sew shirts are in. A relaxed fit, pearl snap front shirt built with a 50/50 cotton-Tencel oxford woven in Japan. Hand screen printed in Brooklyn, then cut and sewn in Manhattan.” The shirt is 4.7 oz, has dual chest pockets, and double needle detail.
Lee will also be one of the guests at the “Say It Loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud at 50!” James Brown tribute at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre on Saturday (10/20) (tickets). He’s also got a New Year’s Eve run in San Francisco (12/30 & 12/31) and touring Europe/UK in 2019. All dates are listed below.
Lee Fields — 2018/2019 Tour Dates
10/20/18 Apollo Theater New York, NY (“Say It Loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud at 50!”)
12/30/18 The Chapel San Francisco, CA
12/31/18 The Chapel San Francisco, CA
04/25/19 Tivoli, Utrecht, Netherlands
04/26/19 Columbia Theater, Berlin, Germany
04/28/19 De Roma, Antwerp, Belgium
04/29/19 St. Eustache, Paris, France
04/30/19 Aeronef, Lille, France
05/02/19 The Junction, Cambridge, UK
05/03/19 Academy 3, Manchester, UK
05/04/19 02 Shepherds Bush, London, UK
