Liam Bailey - Ekundayo '2020

Tracks list

Big Crown Records is proud to present Ekundayo, Liam Bailey’s debut
record on the label. This album is a long time in the making, and after
listening, clearly worth the wait. It didn’t take a long time to record,
but it did take years for all the stars to line up.

Bailey, born and raised in Nottingham, England, the son of an English mother and
Jamaican father got his early influences from his mom’s record
collection. Bob Marley and Dillinger, Stevie Wonder and The Supremes, The
Beatles and Jimi Hendrix would eventually shape the singer/songwriter we know
today.

Fast-forward to 2005, Liam is in London and doing the whatever-gig-you-can-get
musician hustle with hopes of landing a record deal. And it was through this
time that Liam first teamed up with Leon Michels, musician/producer luminary,
and the co-founder of Brooklyns own Big Crown Records. Liam flew out to New York
and those first sessions together produced the now classic tunes “When
Will They Learn” and “I’m Gonna Miss You” which still
get spins at reggae spots around the globe. That trip helped kick off what was
to follow next for Liam: a slew of record releases, label deals, and working
with some wildly-notable mainstream producers. Even a just-famous Amy Winehouse
heard one of Liams apartment-made, lo-fi recordings through a friend and liked
what she heard. Regardless of the audio quality, Liams particular sound shone
through—all guitar, warm-rough and genuine soul. She signed him to her
label shortly after.
But, as the story can go with major labels, they already had an idea of the Liam
they wanted to make, promote, and push. With the typical pay-day enticement,
Liam did his best to fit into whatever shape they put him to. Maybe I can make
it work, thats what youre thinking, Liam remembers, but, you quickly find out
that you cant.

While Liam’s career went through a bunch of record industry twists and
turns he and Michels stayed in touch and would regularly connect and
collaborate. Finally, in 2019, the time was right to do a full-length album
together. And this time, it would be free of any restricting major label
presumptions and opinions.

Set to release in October 2020, the album is called Ekundayo. And the words
meaning may be all you need to know to get to the essence of this project. It
means sorrow becomes joy in Yoruba, a language spoken mostly in Western Africa.
Liams potently unique voice has always had to fight against label agendas to get
through. Now, teaming back up with Leon and his production, that restraint has
given way to a pure, liberating freedom that trusses up the entire record like a
spine. This is the record we always wanted to make, says Michels, nodding at
those past projects, where they bottled a spark of lightning in a studio
session. But then there always was the slightly deflating feeling of whether or
not Liams label situation at the time would like it.

On the surface, Ekundayo is a weighty Reggae record, full of new and old
textured riddims. But listen more in-depth, and youll find subject matter thats
more recognizable from a modern-day R&B record.
An example of the former is the first single off the album. Sung to the most
beautiful woman at the nightspot, Champion is a joyous anthem powered by a
silly-thick Juno-bass throb and 808-proof drums. In short, Champion is
dancehall-ready. But then theres a song like Dont Blame NY. Moody and sparse
with a somber drive, you might have to resist the urge to compare it to a Frank
Ocean-ish type vibe. Liams voice is in a different but fitting element here,
showing stripped-back emotion and soulful restraint. Anyone who has lived and
tried to thrive in New York wont have a hard time relating to the lyrics but
they may join the masses who blame the city, while Liam points the finger at
himself and sings praises to The Big Apple.

Credit to Leons hand, elements of Jamaican production are everywhere, peppered
throughout the record. Like the pitch-perfect organ stabs that push through the
authentically positive White Light, or the muted, percussive guitar strums that
chug along in the back of Fight.

In the same vein of any fantastic singer/songwriter album, Ekundayo is a
reflection of who Liam Bailey is, a portrait of him for us to consider and take
in. And what we see is an artist growing into himself, taking on topics and
approaches he never would think of just a few years ago. Some evidence: Ugly
Truth is about reconnecting with his biological father, a subject he once
thought would be too personal to address. Sometimes we cant express ourselves
before were ready to.

The journey from conforming to major labels to this latest record has been a
long one for Liam, and a bit of a struggle. But struggle may be the only way we
truly grow and evolve. With a new clarity of purpose, sound, and life, Liam has
found joy out of those struggles. And its called Ekundayo. 

Tracklisting:
01. Liam Bailey - Awkward (3:12)
02. Liam Bailey - Champion (2:56)
03. Liam Bailey - White Light (3:18)
04. Liam Bailey - Dont Blame NY (2:49)
05. Liam Bailey - Cold & Clear (3:17)
06. Liam Bailey - Angel Dust (3:49)
07. Liam Bailey - Fight (3:02)
08. Liam Bailey - Vixit (3:37)
09. Liam Bailey - Ugly Truth (2:30)
10. Liam Bailey - Young In Love (3:36)
11. Liam Bailey - She Hates This Life (3:05)
12. Liam Bailey - Where Do I Start? (0:57)
13. Liam Bailey - Paper Tiger (3:14)

Related artists