Based in the South West’s Mecca, Bristol, and released on Portishead’s Geoff Barrow’s Invada label, with mentoring from the man himself. Malakai could be a bit boring; luckily Bristol is home to one of the best underground music scenes (dance and indie music wise.)
Putting these two ingredients together in with a ‘secret’ music making member and a self-proclaimed ‘out spoken front person’ and a track like ‘Snowflake’ is pulled off with full affect. A funky, punk riff echoes (frontman) Gee’s grainy voice nicely, while pianos skitter about like they’ve just been released from prison with five dosses of prescribed drugs.

It’s one of those songs that just works. Malakai are obviously looking to get to bigger things. Herves ‘Knocking’ remix of the track turns the indie-at-heart track into a bouncing club one – the kind of feat that Bloc Party producer Phones (real name Paul Epworth) has had the monopoly on until his recent departure from the remixing world. Even if their dreams outlive their career – ‘Snowflake’ would be a fine enough discography.

By Nick Burman

Rating: 8/10
Format: Single
Release Date: 19/01/09
Label: Invada / B Black Music
www.myspace.com/malakaibristol

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