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Review: Carolyn Malachi – Lions, Fires & Squares, at U Hall Friday
July 29, 2010 | Written by sim1ontharun
Category: Music | Tags: Carolyn Malachi,U Street Music Hall
If America were ever in need an Afrofuturistic Alicia Keys to take its politics and boredom on a drugged-out soul music trip, DC native Carolyn Malachi’s newest EP, Lions, Fires & Squares, is selling tickets for the ride. It’s clear that the Smart Chicks Inc. founder wants to win a Grammy. Bad. You can hear it in the raw growls before the first track drops, ripe with the conviction of a woman on a musical mission.
Song and spoken word are masterfully layered on the subtly haughty intro track “Orion,” Malachi coos “Hey, Space Cowboy,” inviting The Hunter on a voyage through the Milky Way, where the lyrical quality is reminiscent of Jamiroquai and Meshell Ndegeocello. Conversely, “Textual,” swings with a jazzy, Esthero-like groove (think “Wikked Lil’ Grrrls”) on this party track. South African hip-hop artist and activist, HHP’s (Hip-Hop Pantsula) Motswako mixture conjures up a nasal, K’Naan-esque flow on this contagiously funky, soulful joint. Drums quicken and horns amplify here to usher in a more indigenous sound for HHP’s cameo.
But, when the lone guitar strums the tune “Dumela,” you will be called back from outer space to the roots of R&B music. Inspired by the Malachi’s recent visit to South Africa (sponsored by the community artist incubator, Bloombars) “Dumela” soothes with two simple Setswana phrases that will follow you around like lyrical ghosts throughout your day–”Sao bona,” or “I See You,” and “Dumela,” meaning “Believe.” This truly should have been the anthem to the 2010 World Cup. You might even make it your wedding song. I’ve seen this song still an entire room.
The only unfortunate choice on the EP was to allow the video game bleeping, sound effects-ridden “Textual” club remix to follow abruptly after the gentle ballad, “Dumela.” But, overall the album traverses this newly carved lane of Black contemporary music gracefully, sent from the future by the likes of Erykah Badu for emerging artists like Malachi who dare to dance with the Kosmos.
Lions, Fires & Squares releases on Friday, July 30th at the U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m. World grooves by The Pinstriped Rebel. Appearances by DC’s Taratibou Youth Association and DJ Heat for $10. Tickets available at the door. *FREE* Post-Party Fete at Social on 14th & Meridian in NW Washington, DC. For details, visit http://www.carolynmalchi.com
More About sim1ontharun
Website: http://www.tinyurl.com/suludc
Twitter: Follow me on Twitter
Profile: sim1 writes poems. she is the founding co-director of Sulu DC, home to Asian and Pacific Islander American performing artists in Washington, DC. her writing has appeared in Beltway Poetry Quarterly, and on multiple DMV blogs. her professional life includes small projects management in the arts, spanning from nurturing independent artists to advising major arts institutions. she is a proud burmese-american gypsy.
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9 comments
MikeSmoov216 (Mike Smoov)
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Review: Carolyn Malachi – Lions, Fires &Squares, at U Hall Friday via The Couch Sessions – If America … [link to post]
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Trackback by MikeSmoov216 (Mike Smoov) on July 29, 2010 at 9:59 am
MasseyMediaLLC (Massey Media LLC)
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@carolyn_malachi’s new EP reviewed by @sim1ontharun #thecouchsessions read it and come out Fri to the release party! [link to post]
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Trackback by MasseyMediaLLC (Massey Media LLC) on July 29, 2010 at 11:10 am
gravity508 (Downtown Druly Brown)
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RT @sim1ontharun: Review: Carolyn Malachi – Lions, Fires &Squares, at U Hall Friday via The Couch Sessions [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Trackback by gravity508 (Downtown Druly Brown) on July 29, 2010 at 11:31 am
Anele (Anele Mdoda)
Twitter Comment
RT @Carolyn_Malachi: Hey, @Anele. Thought to share this with you. US blog reviews new CD; recognizes HHP/Motswako / SA: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Trackback by Anele (Anele Mdoda) on July 29, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Carolyn_Malachi (Carolyn Malachi)
Twitter Comment
Shouts out to @HipHopPantsula and the entire SA fam. When I bloom, we bloom. Just like this: [link to post]
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Trackback by Carolyn_Malachi (Carolyn Malachi) on July 29, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Carolyn_Malachi (Carolyn Malachi)
Twitter Comment
Hey, @Anele. Thought to share this with you. US blog reviews new CD; recognizes HHP/Motswako / SA: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Trackback by Carolyn_Malachi (Carolyn Malachi) on July 29, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Carolyn_Malachi (Carolyn Malachi)
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#TheCouchSessions Blog reviews new CD; recognizes @BloomBars too!: [link to post]
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Trackback by Carolyn_Malachi (Carolyn Malachi) on July 29, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Bloombars (John)
Twitter Comment
RT @Carolyn_Malachi: #TheCouchSessions Blog reviews new CD; recognizes @BloomBars too!: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Trackback by Bloombars (John) on July 29, 2010 at 5:03 pm
sim1ontharun
Album is available for purchase now: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/CarolynMalachi1
Comment by sim1ontharun on August 4, 2010 at 6:11 pm