Review: Joseph Malik - Adult Contemporary (Shuya Okino + ROOT SOUL Rework EP) (Ramrock Red Records)

For those keeping up with Joseph Malik's 'Proxima Ebony' story and subsequent 'Variant Issue', those "prime taste makers" Craig Charles, Don Letts and even more can't get enough of it - and here's a new twist from Tokyo on the Edinburgh soul master!

As regular readers will know, YATM has a big case e of Japanophilia, whether that's BBE's J-Jazz compilations, Masters Series or book (news has it that there's another compilation due soon - also see HERE) or DJ Muro (see HERE) or J-Salsa (see Orquesta Del Sol, HERE) or City Music Tokyo (see HERE) or my latest favourite, Ken Matsudaira, you'll get the idea that we're more than excited to here of combination of Mr Malik and Shuya Okino.

It all started we're told when both of them were signed to Compost Records in the early 00s and "Joseph was on tour in Japan with iconic soul artist, Terry Callier. Shuya showed up at the gig and took Joseph to his legendary night club ‘The Room’ in Shibuya, Tokyo" [and when they say "legendary", check out anything on Especial Records at that time you'll get an idea why].

The pair stayed in contact ever since so no surprise that Shuya 'Shuya San' Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive to WeOutHere) gets busy on 'Adult Contemporary'

But the story doesn't end there as this is a whole new re-work recorded in Japan and mastered by Darren Morris (the follow-up to his 'Union I', Union II out now, see HERE) and you think, this is a whole different track to the original as 'Chic funk dance' gives it up to the recognizable vocal to Joseph with "Release me..." and plea for "Somebody help me"; well it's clear that the Tokyo family has and it's another winner.

So, you may be wondering why 'Tokyo To Edinburgh (Interlude 1)' is included? For 107 seconds of beats/Japanese spoken word with killer mod-jazz organ, you'll want it in any Sci-Fi mixtape. 

This would make a great 7" single but until that existing, it's a great digital release.

P.S. Did someone mention, DJ Kawasaki 'It's Your World'? (Ed. that's so niche)

BUY LINK: RRR086 - Joseph Malik - Adult Contemporary - Shuya Okino + ROOT SOUL Rework EP | Joseph Malik + Shuya Okino x ROOT SOUL | Ramrock

Artist: Joseph Malik
Title: Adult Contemporary (Shuya Okino + ROOT SOUL Rework EP)
Release date: 18th July, 2025
Cat. No: RRR086
Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Remixed by Shuya Okino & ROOT SOUL
Lead vocals: Joseph Malik
Directed by Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive)
Bass, Keyboards, Guitar: Kenichi Ikeda (ROOT SOUL)
Drums: Soki Kimura (Osaka Monaurail）
Drums recorded by Soki Kimura (Osaka Monaurail）
Mixed by Kenichi Ikeda (ROOT SOUL)
Mastering: Darren Morris @North Street West Studio