Joseph Malik - Diverse, Pt. 2 (2018)

Diverse Part 2 is an album very much about now and the way black music can descant on the past and yet embrace endless innovation. In the spirit of the old sixties DJs that were the ghetto mavens of their era - "Cut the chatter, check out the platter." Stuart Cosgrove - writer and broadcaster, Stuart’s soul trilogy 'Detroit 67', 'Memphis 68' and the forthcoming 'Harlem 69' are published by Polygon, and tell the epic story of black music in times of profound change. The second book in the trilogy 'Memphis 68: The Tragedy of Southern Soul' won the Penderyn Prize as 'Music Book on the Year' in 2018. His previous book 'Young Soul Rebels' is a personal history of northern soul.

With 80,000 copies of his 2002 milestone, post club classic LP ‘Diverse’ already under his belt, Joseph Malik’s ‘Diverse Part 2’ is his first album outing in 12 years and his debut showcase on Ramrock Red Records. As I type, the debut single ‘Take A Left’, taken from the album, is already smashing it on BBC Radio 6 and beyond. Over the last 2 years, Joseph’s work ethic has been relentless and his intensely passionate commitment towards ‘Diverse Part 2’ has driven it to the finishing line, allowing us to savour the exquisite result. Thanks to his perseverance and the close support of friends of 30 years and his inspiration to sing, David Donnelly, Steven Christie along with Saleem Andrew McGroarty and Chris Greives, collaborate with Joseph to deliver an uncompromising, take no prisoners collection of songs that are, quite simply, spine tingling. Due for release in September 2018 on digital & vinyl, there is already an incredible buzz surrounding the album which Joseph has tantalisingly alluded to on various social media platforms during the production time. With a great ear for finding musically compatible artists to work with, Joseph has surrounded himself with a team of Scotland’s finest soul brothers and sisters to provide the raw energy to help him complete his mission to record the best in Soul, Jazz and Blues music. Together, they have created beautifully crafted melodies that fuel each track as their instruments interweave with Joseph’s distinctive vocals and the end result is respectful in its nod towards the musicians that went before as well as putting a fresh spin on the recordings. The hauntingly evocative ballad ‘Love Bound’ sits side by side with pared back track ‘But I’m Lost, Not Found’ full of longing and melancholy; sophisticated jazz jams are sprinkled throughout the line-up and the grittily authentic Rhythm & Blues number ‘Lost Not Found (Reprise)’ rubs a mohair suited shoulder with ‘Take A Left’, all of which allow Joseph’s captivating vocals space to soar and shine above the solid bedrock of his soul collective, the Easter Street Northern Soul Band.