Malaya Blue - Still

Size: 121,6 MB
Time: 52:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Contemporary Blues
Art: Front & Booklet

01. Still (5:42)
02. Down To The Bone (3:39)
03. It's A Shame (4:24)
04. Love Can Tell (4:45)
05. Why Is Peace So Hard? (5:48)
06. Love Of Your Life (3:39)
07. Kiss My Troubles Away (3:46)
08. Settle Down Easy (4:32)
09. Down To The Bottom (5:14)
10. These Four Walls (4:02)
11. I Can't Be Loved (3:06)
12. Hot Love (3:48)

For her third full-length studio album, UK contemporary blues singer/songwriter Malaya Blue collaborated with three-time Grammy winner Dennis Walker to co-write and produce the simply titled, “Still.” The pair brought together some of the finest musicians from the UK music scene including guitarist Nat Martin, keyboard wiz Stevie Watts, exceptional drummer Mike Horne and bass player Eddie Masters to the acclaimed Ashwood Studios in Norwich, run by master engineer Sotos Yiasimi. The sessions resulted in a dozen new tracks assembled on the album old school style as the “Still Side” and the “Blue Sid;.” a package designed to satisfy her legion of blues fans as well as music lovers into R&B and Neo-Soul. While fleshing out the songs with Malaya Blue, Richard Cousins, original bass player with the Robert Cray Band, was called upon to bring in ideas. The Grammy winner gave Malaya the previously unrecorded ‘Still,’ a song that was originally intended for a Robert Cray album. Feeling the sentimental ballad was a perfect fit for Malaya, Cousins stepped in to lay down the bass line for the album’s opening track and emotional centerpiece. From here Malaya expresses her slow burning scorn on the clavinet driven funk tune ‘Down To The Bone.’ The breezy melody and easy swing of ‘It’s A Shame’ hides the melancholy in the lyrics and the emotions Malaya puts in her vocals. Malaya Blue makes a stand against heartbreak on the fast-moving track ‘Love Can Tell,’ as the band displays their considerable musical chops. Malaya holds nothing back on the gospel infused blues ‘Why Is Peace So Hard?,’ passionately recounting the tale of a mother who has lost her son and her plea to stop the endless wars. The “Still Side” concludes with the dulcet ‘Love Of Your Life,’ the soft piano and vocal duet making for a romantic intermission. Malaya kicks off the “Blue Side” of the album with the rousing ‘Kiss My Troubles Away,’ turning the tables on the familiar theme into what a working woman needs when she gets home. More musical theatrics are on display for the spicey R&B breakup to makeup song ‘Settle Down Easy.’ Malaya gets even more intimate during the alluring ‘Down To The Bottom,’ celebrating the joys of falling in love again. Drummer Mike Horne sets up the groove for the burning ‘These Four Walls,’with Malaya working out her feelings as the pulsing music reflects her growing frustrations in trying to move on from tough love. Another fine piano ballad, ‘I Can’t Be Loved,’ shows off her tremendous chops and depth as a lyrical stylist. The “Blue Side” ends with the dramatic ‘Hot Love,’ a Broadway styled rocker about a defiant girl breaking free and following her dreams in pursuit of love. This well-produced third album, “Still,” from Malaya Blue, with its first-class instrumental execution backing her evocative vocal performances, should garner wide ranging attention to this rising artist. ~Rick J Bowen

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