El Michels Affair Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Hip Hop Electronica Funk Afrobeat Funk soul R&B Soul instrumental soul indie soul indie jazz

Members

Select a El Michels Affair band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Thomas Brenneck

Roles:

Guitarist Music Producer

Groups:

The Budos Band Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings Menahan Street Band Mark Ronson & The Business Intl Bronx River Parkway

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Nick Movshon

Roles:

Bassist Drummer

Groups:

Menahan Street Band The Arcs Antibalas Mark Ronson & The Business Intl Bronx River Parkway

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Leon Michels

Roles:

Keyboardist Music Producer

Groups:

Menahan Street Band Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings The Arcs Bronx River Parkway

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Homer Steinweiss

Roles:

Drummer Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Silk Sonic Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings The Arcs The Hooligans Mark Ronson & The Business Intl

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Dave Guy

Roles:

Trumpeter

Groups:

Silk Sonic The Roots The Budos Band Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings Menahan Street Band The Hooligans The Sugarman 3 Antibalas Lee Fields & The Expressions Dujeous

No gear added

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Michael Leonhart

Roles:

Singer Music Producer

No gear added

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Aaron Johnson
No gear added

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Tobias Pazner

Roles:

Music Producer

No gear added

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Todd Simon
No gear added

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About

El Michels Affair is a dynamic musical collective rooted in the vibrant amalgamation of hip hop, soul, and funk, with generous infusions of Afrobeat and indie jazz. Formed in New York by Leon Michels, the band is known for its instrumental prowess and genre-blurring compositions. Key members include Leon Michels (saxophone, keyboards, and production), Thomas Brenneck (guitar), and Nick Movshon (bass). The group's sound bridges the nostalgic essence of 1960s and '70s soul with a modern sensibility, creating a timeless yet forward-thinking auditory experience.

How to Sound Like El Michels Affair

El Michels Affair's sound is characterized by its warm, analog textures and soulful grooves. The band's music often features rich, dirty guitar tones achieved through vintage gear like the Teisco ET-230 K-2L and Gibson Firebird Electric Guitar, paired with the lush reverberations of the Ampeg Gemini I G-12 amplifier. Their melodic yet rhythmic compositions are enhanced by the use of effects processors such as the Guild Echorec by Binson, adding depth and an ethereal quality to their soundscapes. The result is a smooth yet gritty sonic palette that invites musicians to explore a blend of vintage soul and contemporary flair.

Discography

Sounding Out the City

2005

Enter The 37th Chamber

2009

Return To The 37th Chamber

2017

Adult Themes

2020

Ekundayo Inversions

2021

Yeti Season (Deluxe Version)

2022

Glorious Game

2023

Boy Kills World (Songs From The Original Motion Picture)

2024

24 Hr Sports

2025

Get the El Michels Affair Sound

Want to sound like El Michels Affair? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.