RRR021 - Joseph Malik & Niki King - Reason to be EP

by Ramrock

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£4 GBP or more

1.	Joseph Malik & Niki King - Reason to be - Original Version 03:31	buy track
2.	Joseph Malik & Niki King - Reason to be - Wallace and Morris 'North Street West' Vocal Remix 03:23	buy track
3.	Joseph Malik & Niki King - Reason to be - Wallace and Morris 'North Street West' Instrumental 03:23	buy track
4.	Joseph Malik & Niki King - Reason to be - Original Instrumental 03:31	buy track

about

When Joseph Malik set out to write “Reason to be”, little did he know it would take two years to make. His inspiration was his record label family - Jo Wallace and Ashley Beedle’s wedding. Malik sat down and wrote the words “You better know that you’re more than you know, that you’re more than a reason to be”. It’s a song of devotion, love, romance, boy meets girl - and the demo became Joseph’s wedding gift to the happy couple.

After seeing Joseph perform the track live, winner of the UK Perrier Jazz Vocalist award, support act for Al Green + Gregory Porter and multi-talented singer/songwriter Niki King, caught up with him after the gig. Having known each other for years, the right track at the right time had never come around until then, when Niki suggested she could hear it as a duet. So, as they say, it was written in the stars. It became very apparent from the start that this track demanded the classic ‘Malik’ studio line up. With Steven Christie on strings and celeste, David Donnelly on guitar and Fender bass, Daniel Walls aka Digital Liquid on drums, horn section arranger/performer, Chris Greive on trombone, Colin Steele on trumpet, Andrew Barrent on saxophone and Becc Sanderson on backing vocals, ‘Reason to be’ took shape and became part of Joseph’s immense 2021 ‘Diverse Part 3’ LP.

Once label boss Jo Wallace had listened to the mastered original version, she decided to flex her considerable Northern Soul muscles and along with fellow North Street West compadre Darren Morris, they channelled their inner Funk Brothers. A dream team vocal combo, an incessant 4/4 drumbeat, Hammond B3 riffs galore, interplay between the baritone sax + muted trumpets, vibes + tubular bells – what more could you ask for from a North Street West Vocal remix? As Craig Charles would say - ‘Hold my calls’.

credits

released August 20, 2021

license

about

Ramrock Ramsgate, UK

Founded in 2014 by Jo Wallace
Ramrock = reggae Ramrock Blue = soul Ramrock Red = Balearic/Hip Hop/Jazz/Electronica.
Jo is part of the North Street Studio One Remix crew with DJ/producer Ashley Beedle + musical supremo Darren Morris. Artists include Greg Blackman, Ghetto Priest, DB Cohen, Joseph Malik, Pauline Taylor, Steven Christie + Kameelah Waheed. 2021 is full of musical goodness. ... more