Review: Joseph Malik - Adult Contemporary (Oddball Creatives Remix EP) (Ramrock Red Records)

For those keeping up with Joseph Malik's 'Proxima Ebony' story, 'Variant Issue', the Nippon diversion via Shuya Okino - and here's the latest twist from Edinburgh as The Oddball Creatives gets on the remix at La Beat Soul Club!

As regular readers will know, YATM has been a big fan of Joseph Malik since his early days on Compost, Altered Vibes/Hundred Strong and most recently on the Ramrock family of labels.  As a duo with Daniel 'Digital Liquid' Walls (aka, the 'Oddball Creatives') they've gone to town (or should that be the soul club?) with a couple of Edinburgh pals.  Well known jazz trumpeter Colin Steele (inc. the Proclaimers) and Steven Christie (keyboards) with new remixes as a and final relese for Joseph on Ramrock Records.

This one is for fans of Pépé Bradock, Moodymann, Peven Everett et al with old skool soul-jazz house: and those with good a memory will recall the a previous jazz collab with Linkwood on 'Miles Away'.

Darren Morris (he of North Street West Studios, Union I & II - see HERE - and more) mixed the Oddball Creatives ‘La Beat Soul Club Tribute’ remix and added additional piano, bass and strings as Joseph's tribute/dedication to his favourite soul club in the world, Edinburgh's ‘La Beat Soul Club’. 

Shout outs to The La Beat DJs, Gavin Elder, Brian Gordon and Ross Wilson’s DJ who  inspired Joseph and Daniel to go home after the club night to reinterpret ‘Adult Contemporary'.

And when Terry Farley (FAITH and much more) "gets it" and has said, "That’s incredible mate. It's the kind of track that reminded me of the 'I Need You’ era, Sylvester mixed with NYC morning music/sleaze that got played at iconic Manhattan clubs like The Saint as the dancers came down off their uppers and the Quaaludes kicked in. The vocal is beautiful, and the mix never takes the turns you expect. To make such a very left field and clever track without losing its core danceability isn’t an easy trick but Joseph’s vocal performance nails it in the most beautiful way”.

Can't argue with that - a great way to start the week - out today!

P.S. Irvine Welsh (Edinburgh notable) likes it too!

BUY LINK: RRR091 - Joseph Malik - Adult Contemporary 'Oddball Creatives' Remix EP | Joseph Malik, Oddball Creatives, Steven Christie, Colin Steele | Ramrock

Artist: Joseph Malik

Title: Adult Contemporary (Oddball Creatives Remix EP)
Release date: 29th September, 2025
Cat. No: RRR091

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

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