Le Stim’s coveted 1980 Detroit disco tribute to Muhammad Ali gets first vinyl reissue

A knock-out record.

Le Stim’s ‘A Tribute to Muhammad Ali (We Crown The King)’ is being reissued on vinyl for the first time, this November via Melodies International.

The 12″ follows Melodies’ reissue of Trio Ternura’s ‘A Gira’ – one of our favourite dance records in September, as well Frankie Knuckles’ shimmering Womack & Womack ‘M.P.B.’ edits – one of our favourite dance records in May.

Le Stim was a Detroit band fronted by Donald Jennings, who was largely a gospel singer. However, in the late ’70s the writer of ‘We Crown The King’, Herbert Andrei Duncan, spent five years convincing Jennings to lend his vocals to the funky track, who was concerned the singing was out of his range.

Jennings acquiesced and recorded the tune in 1980 – it later became a became a disco party anthem, fuelled by its anthemic “Muhammad Ali, woo yeah!” exultations.

As Melodies shares: “According to Jennings, Ali did hear the track back then and liked it! Le Stim were in touch with Ali’s management and were about to meet him on a number of occasions which unfortunately didn’t work out.”

‘A Tribute to Muhammad Ali (We Crown The King)’ has been remastered from its original tapes – cut at half speed “to bring the shine out the top end” – for this 12″ reissue, and comes with exclusive Melodies Stickers.

Pre-order a copy here ahead of its November release and check out the cover art in full below.