El Michels Affair - 24 Hr Sports

El Michels Affair returns with 24 Hr Sports, the highly anticipated new album from Leon Michels, marking his next creative chapter after 2023’s Glorious Game with Black Thought. A masterful blend of funk, soul, jazz, and global rhythms, this record draws inspiration from ‘80s & ‘90s Sports Illustrated design, MF DOOM’s Special Herbs series, and gospel music à la Pastor T.L. Barrett. The result is an album that is cinematic, vibrant, and unmistakably El Michels Affair.

From the commanding opener “Drum Line” with its anthemic marching band drums and bold brass arrangements to the genre-defying vocal collaborations, 24 Hr Sports is as eclectic as it is cohesive. Brazil’s Rogê energizes “Mágica”, Florence Adooni brings effortless swag to “Say Goodbye”, and trumpeter Dave Guy of The Roots adds unmistakable flair to “Oakley’s Car Wash”. Highlights also include Clairo on “Anticipate”, Shintaro Sakamoto on “Indifference”, Norah Jones on “Carry Me Away”, and the gospel-driven “Take My Hand” featuring the Fabulous Rainbow Singers and a Rahsaan Roland Kirk saxophone solo. Leon Michels himself delivers lead vocals on the sunny “Shining”, while album closers like “Open Season” and “Victory Lap” provide cinematic and euphoric wind-downs, perfectly showcasing the album’s depth and breadth.

Pressed on high-quality vinyl, 24 Hr Sports is a sonic journey across continents, moods, and musical styles—a true showcase of Leon Michels’ visionary production and El Michels Affair’s champion sound.