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Music: Album Review (Austin Chronicle . 06-29-98)
Album Review
JUNE 29, 1998:
Malachi
King of Kings
Given the fact that King of Kings is the only
R&B album to be released locally in recent memory (ever?), it's also the best.
Given what passes for contemporary R&B on major labels, Malachi's fourth and
most recent release is better than most; the production values are no less than excellent,
and with a full congregation of studio musicians (seven guitarists, four keyboardists,
percussionists, horns), the sound is big, expansive. It had to be, really,
because only a big old house of worship could contain the stirring, soulful, soaring
voices of Austin's emerging gospel wonders, Malachi. When Cynthia Bray duets with
husband Wesley on the album's second track, "River of Tears," it's instant
Motor City Magic. "Keep It Alive," with its shades of Neville Brothers,
"Restless Days" simmering hot like Sam Cooke/Marvin Gaye, and the lilting
"Set Me Free" with Michael Goins' congas providing a tropical counterpoint
to Wesley Bray's soulman supreme vocals (Malford Milligan eat your heart out) all
feature superb harmonies - vocal and otherwise. Ending with the inspirational Staple
Singersesque "Sweet Sounding Word," and a Cynthia Bray lead vocal, the
Hallelujah inspiring "So Alive," this short 'n' sweet slice of heaven resides
in the house of God, yes, but not at the expense of funk, soul, or groove. Naturally
uplifting in energy and tone, King of Kings may not be as slick, polished,
or as expensive as R. Kelley, Puff Daddy, or Kirk Franklin, but then good, honest
soul music was always about being down-home.
3 stars - Raoul Hernandez
Common Ground
- An Austin Chronicle profile of Malachi
Album Review
Given the fact that King of Kings is the only
R&B album to be released locally in recent memory (ever?), it's also the best.
Given what passes for contemporary R&B on major labels, Malachi's fourth and
most recent release is better than most; the production values are no less than excellent,
and with a full congregation of studio musicians (seven guitarists, four keyboardists,
percussionists, horns), the sound is big, expansive. It had to be, really,
because only a big old house of worship could contain the stirring, soulful, soaring
voices of Austin's emerging gospel wonders, Malachi. When Cynthia Bray duets with
husband Wesley on the album's second track, "River of Tears," it's instant
Motor City Magic. "Keep It Alive," with its shades of Neville Brothers,
"Restless Days" simmering hot like Sam Cooke/Marvin Gaye, and the lilting
"Set Me Free" with Michael Goins' congas providing a tropical counterpoint
to Wesley Bray's soulman supreme vocals (Malford Milligan eat your heart out) all
feature superb harmonies - vocal and otherwise. Ending with the inspirational Staple
Singersesque "Sweet Sounding Word," and a Cynthia Bray lead vocal, the
Hallelujah inspiring "So Alive," this short 'n' sweet slice of heaven resides
in the house of God, yes, but not at the expense of funk, soul, or groove. Naturally
uplifting in energy and tone, King of Kings may not be as slick, polished,
or as expensive as R. Kelley, Puff Daddy, or Kirk Franklin, but then good, honest
soul music was always about being down-home.
