by Thom Jurek
Scottish singer/songwriter Joseph Malik and his collaborator and producer David Donnelly have been on the underground scene since the late 1990s. They began as the duo MF Outa National, recorded an album for Mo' Wax Headz, and issued a number of EPs on Stereo MC's Response label as Black Anized. But it wasn't until Malik conceived his "Futuristica" project -- where he not only began to actively encounter, but also to incorporate, elements of nu-jazz and the sound coming out of Manchester's New Century Soul Club into his work, along with organic textures and acoustic instruments -- that it all came together into something wildly original and wonderfully wrought. Produced by Donnelly, Malik issued the brilliant Diverse in 2002. That set was filled with acoustic folk/soul/jazz tunes that took the nod from pioneers like Terry Callier and Sheree Brown, and turned into something distinct and modern. ...