Adult Themes

Released in 2020, Adult Themes marks a pivotal moment for Leon Michels and his ensemble, moving away from the Wu-Tang Clan reinterpretations that initially brought them fame toward a more abstract, 'library music' inspired sound. The album is structured as a series of 'themes' and vignettes, mimicking the functional music composed for 1960s and 70s cinema and television. Recorded with a strict adherence to vintage hardware, the album utilizes the Big Crown Studio sound to its fullest, featuring dry, punchy percussion and lush, often melancholic arrangements of flutes and organs. Critically, it was praised for its ability to evoke a specific time and place without feeling like a mere pastiche. It stands as a masterclass in mood-setting, bridging the gap between hip-hop production techniques and traditional soul orchestration.