Joseph Malik can count himself among a new generation of singer-songwriters who enjoyed their upbringing in the club scene. Just like singers like Tim Hutton and Victor Davies and members of the New Accoustic Movement like I Am Kloot and Turin Brakes, the influences of dance are not present on the first ear. Their music harks back to an era long before the first house beat arrived. The result is
… alternately folky, jazzy and soulful, but in any case always very tasteful. Diverse shows that Malik is a great admirer of soul singers like Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and especially Bill Withers, whose Take It All In And Check It Out is the only cover on this CD. Also influences from Nick Drake (As I Rise), afrobeat (Ibotribe), bossa nova (Futuristica) and jazz (I Don't Want). With singers like Joseph Malik, the British are able to offer a fresh alternative to the New Classic Soul Movement from the United States. (AD)more
