Enter the 37th Chamber

Released in 2009, Enter the 37th Chamber is the definitive project by El Michels Affair, led by musician and producer Leon Michels. The album consists of instrumental covers of Wu-Tang Clan and solo member tracks, performed by a live soul ensemble. Recorded using vintage analog equipment, the album successfully captures the 'dusty' aesthetic of RZA's original production while translating it into the language of 1960s and 70s cinematic soul. This record was instrumental in the 'retro-soul' revival of the late 2000s and solidified El Michels Affair as a premier outfit for hip-hop-influenced soul. It serves as a bridge between the crate-digging culture of hip-hop producers and the live musicianship of the Daptone-adjacent scene. The album's critical reception was overwhelmingly positive, praised for its authenticity and its ability to stand as a cohesive work of art rather than a mere novelty cover project.