Taken from Joseph Malik’s solo 2023 LP, ‘Proxima Ebony’, ‘Only Fans’, ft. co-writer, Daniel Walls aka Digital Liquid, now gets the first-class remix treatment from London’s legendary production duo, X-Press 2. Joseph delivers an impactful vocal, waxing lyrical on his memories of being brought up around sex workers, underpinned by Digital Liquid’s acid worm lead, as X-Press 2 unleash a sublime dance floor slayer loaded with catchy hooks, jackin’ beat wizardry and dynamic production. Propelling the song into another stratosphere, the duo have created the chugging Lo-Fi ‘Back Room’ behemoth, armed with slo-mo breakbeats and a badass dubby bass groove, culminating in hypnotic groover that would make the late and great Mr Weatherall very proud.
[Ramrock Records promo]
The Hoof caught up with Joseph for a chat:
Tell us about your youth growing up in Scotland and how you got into music?
My earliest memories was living with my grandparents who played NCC, FS and C+W. In the mid 70’s my aunties would take me to Tiffany’s disco in Sauchehall Street, Glasgow. That’s when I first heard Sylvester.
How did you start to develop your own sound?
I got down on my knees and prayed to the god of music and asked ‘please give me a voice’. Previously, I was known for making beats and being a producer but I’d never really sung before except ‘Crack Pipe’. I then went on to co-write my debut solo LP ‘Diverse 1’ in 2002 with David Donnelly on Compost Records to much critical acclaim. This gave me the confidence to keep writing and singing.
How much has your beloved Leith affected and influenced your music?
I have to admit that I left Leith some time ago for a change of scenery. The thing that brings the most joy to my heart is my love letter to Leith, ‘The Republic of Persevere’, dedicated to the Mother of Leith. Mary Moriarty. This track was included on Craig Charles’s ‘Trunk of Funk 2’ compilation and after Mary heard it on the radio and I bumped into her in Great Junction Street, Leith, she said, ‘Stop making songs about me, son’ and then gave me a big cuddle and that’s the last time we met. I miss her. Check out the ‘Stranger Things Have Happened’ LP and my video of ‘Republic of Persevere’.
I know that Jo at Ramrock has been a big part of your recent success, how has meeting her changed your musical journey?
I’ve been in the industry for a very long time and being with Ramrock is the first time that it’s not just a record label, it’s a family. Making five albums in five years and taking advice from my label boss, Jo Wallace has built a bond of trust both musically and personally. We do sometimes agree to disagree but in the end, it’s about music and we always arrive at the same conclusion.
All the artists seem happy to collaborate together and support each other, how has that experience been?
First of all, the greatest experience was to work with NJ artist, Kameelah Waheed. We’ve become close friends and enjoy working with each other on different projects. I am spellbound by her voice and her lyrics. It was a deeply spiritual experience to work with her on ‘My Whole World’ and ‘Be A Lion’ on my recent LP, ‘Proxima Ebony’.
But closer to home, every time I’m in the studio working with fellow Ramrock artist, Steven Christie (Proclaimers), magic just seems to happen. As I reflect back on the ‘Till Sunday’ EP we released during lockdown on Ramrock Red Records, we have now returned to the studio and recorded a new dub reggae project coming out in the Autumn of ’24 on Ramrock Records.
I know from listening to Craig Charles’s ‘Funk & Soul’ show on BBC 6 Music that he has been championing your music since the beginning. What impact has this support had on your recent success?
It has truly changed my life with people like taxi drivers and locals in Edinburgh acknowledging me in the street and at my favourite place to dance, ‘La Beat’ soul club. After having many private conversations with Craig, he totally believes in me, my music and my message. The high point of our friendship has been him making my ‘Diverse Pt.3’ LP his BBC 6 Music album of the Year in 2022 and the record breaking radio play for all my musical output.
We’re always on the hunt for new music here. I know you’ve had your ear to the ground in Edinburgh and Ramrock’s roster has been expanding with some of your suggestions, Is there an up-and-coming artist or band that you’ve recently discovered and you think deserves more attention?
That’s a hard question to answer but I will answer it. As the two best new groups in Edinburgh are the Post Punk legends, Scorpio Leisure and the amazing Accident Machine (George T & Mairi Buchanan), I presented the demos from these artists to Jo Wallace who has released music from both of them.
Every musician has that one classic track that they hold dear to their heart. Can you tell us about yours? What about it inspires you or keeps you coming back?
I was very lucky that my mentor and good friend, Marco Nelson (Young Disciples) sat me down in the early 90’s and played me the album, ‘Inspiration Information’ and this song transformed my life. You can clearly hear that Shuggie Otis was a great inspiration to Prince.
If you could share the stage with one artist, of the past or present, who would that be and why?
I would pick Eden Ahbez because he is such a mysterious, mystical character in the world of music. When someone from the record company went to track down the man who wrote ‘Nature Boy’, which was picked up by Nat King Cole, to pay him his royalties, he was living under the ‘O’ in the Hollywood sign.
How do you stay motivated and engaged with your art over time? What keeps you inspired and interested in creating new music?
Lots of long walks in my local park, ‘The Meadows’ with my beloved dog, Wee Bonnie. I clear my mind and lyrics and ideas come into my head.
Wee Bonnie the cover star of 2021 release ‘I Quit My 9 to 5’
If you were granted a short audience with the omnipotent being and could play them one track of yours – so that they would know who you are (in that moment) – what track would that be?
That track would be ‘Cry when I’m on my own’ from ‘Diverse Pt.3’. It’s possibly the most personal song that I’ve ever written about my life.
Looking ahead to the rest of the year, what are your plans? Any exciting releases or shows that you can tease for us?
My new single, ‘Only Fans’ is out now and then the X-Press 2 remixes EP on July 5th. Digital Liquid and I wrote and directed the video in an 80’s mashup of Flashdance, the Breakfast Club and the Kids From Fame with a special cameo appearance from Natasha Kitty Katt. I can’t wait for the public to see this video.
Glasgow’s legendary resident DJ at the iconic Sub Club, Harri Harrigan, gives more insight into Joseph’s musical credentials:
“I first got to know Joe in 1986 – a fresh faced, dreadlocked, good looking, stylish, friendly guy, who was a great dancer and very enthusiastic about the more soulful side of House. Joe was bang into Sterling Void, Joe Smooth, Ten City, Raze, Phase II – all the cool stuff coming from the States and we both attended the 1987 ‘Chicago Jack Masters Tour’ at Glasgow’s Fury Murry’s. Joe started working at the Sub Club in ’89 ensuring the flyers for club nights were out there and glasses collected but all the while absorbing the music that was getting played in the club. At the time, I was unaware that Joe had a voice and, after he’d relocated to Edinburgh a few years later, I was record shopping and picked up a record by Blacka-nized. I was surprised to hear Joe’s amazing voice on it and the quality of the music. In 2017, Joe joined forces with two titans of the music industry, Ramrock boss, Jo Wallace and national treasure, Ashley Beedle, producing music that was bigger, stronger and wiser. So wise, he asked myself and my buddy Max to remix his track, ‘9 to 5’ taken from ‘Diverse Part 3’. With his latest release, ‘Proxima Ebony’ Joseph has made a massive leap forward creatively and sonically. Go and check Joseph for yourself – there is no end to this man’s talent. You cannae keep a good man down.” James ‘Harri’ Harrigan – June 2024
[Ramrock Records promo]
