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Source: Amazon
Freddie Gibbs and Madlib Release Amazon Music Exclusive 'The Diamond Mine Sessions'
The duo reimagines three songs from Bandana with the help of El Michels Affair.
Thursday brings good news for fans of Freddie Gibbs and Madlib. The duo has released a new three-song project on Amazon Music. The project gets its name from its birthplace--the Diamond Mine Studios in Queens, New York.
The Diamond Mine Sessions features three new tracks with the El Michels Affair, reimagining songs from 2019's masterpiece Bandana. Amazon will release three additional performance clips on May 14. In the meantime, check out an exclusive look behind-the-scenes.
The group reimagined Bandana standouts "Palmolive," "Gat Damn," and "Freestyle Shit."
"This one-of-a-kind partnership is already a legendary one," Stephen Brower of Amazon Music said in a statement. "To be able to add the distinctive sound that Leon and El Michels Affair bring to the mix...is really special and something we're honored to be a part of."
The band previously joined Gibbs and Madlib for their appearance on NPR's Tiny Desk in December. According to NPR, Madlib insisted they waited for a year to film the concert because the band was touring at the time.
"Madlib is the greatest of all time at picking samples," Gibbs said in a statement. "So it was no doubt in my mind that he was going to pick the best band for us to do this with. And this is definitely a different thing. A special type thing."
Leon Michels launched El Michels Affair in the early 2000s. After performing with Raekwon, the group rose to prominence performing with other Wu-Tang Clan members. In 2010, the band released Enter to the 37th Chamber, an album of re-arranged Wu-Tang songs. They released the sequel in 2016.
In related news, Gibbs has also released a capsule t-shirt collection with LA streetwear brand 40s & Shorties. The collection features two graphic tees offered in a white and black colorway for $30. The shirts can be viewed here.
