This week, I have decided to go through Malakhi’s 6-track EP titled “Element of Surprise” and produced by McDove. Born Densil Gayle, the Westmoreland Reggae artist who goes by the name of Malakhi, which means “messenger,” aspires to deliver a strong message in this short-length album by covering various topics from love to political issues.
Opening track “Not Forgotten” is a song that will touch the right cord of those who lost their loved ones. In this positive one drop tune, Malakhi reminds us that even though they were “gone too soon” and we cannot “turn back the hands of time,” they remain unforgotten and live on in our hearts and on our minds.
Second track, “Love That I’m Feeling,” produced by Top Eliment, is a smooth and laid-back song brighten by the sweet sound of a melodica and paced by a set of nyahbinghi drums. The way the riddim and vocals combine together bring out the warmth of Malakhi’s tenor voice, which makes it one of my favorite tracks on the EP.
“World Crisis” is a duet performed alongside rapper Xci on a nostalgic Hip Hop beat spiced up by samples of Martin Luther King’s famous phrase “I Have a Dream”. The melancholic melody of the guitar and the dark tone of the piano underline the despair of the world caused politics and Babylon’s system that both performers describe in their conscious lyrics.
Malakhi let his soul of an incorruptible rebel always standing for his ground appear through the song “Man A Warrior.” The track is introduced by a sample of Charlie Chaplin’s speech taken from the 1940 movie “The Great Dictator.” Hesings “man a warrior, well firm up inna mi meds demcyaamek me lose mi goals” on an uptempo riddim characterized by a military drum pattern which emphasizes his comparison of himself to a righteous soldier guided by Jah.
Still on a conscious vibe, “Sticky” is a song in which Malakhi highlights the suffering of people stressed by the aggravation of the global socio-economic situation caused by inflation, financial crisis, political issues, and the pressure of the system.
Closing track, “Mama You’re The Best,” is a modern roots track in which the Westmoreland Reggae artist shows respect and admiration to his mother who he considers as “the best thing that ever happened” in his entire life. The joy-filled chord progression of the skanking piano and organ overlapped by a high-pitched flute make the riddim quite uplifting and catchy.
To sum it up: “Element Of Surprise” is an EP that I would recommend to the fans of conscious Reggae music. Each song sounds different from another even though some of them might cover similar topic. For those who had never heard of him before, if you like the tone of singers like Jah Cure, Jah Mason or I Octane, you should check out this EP and let us know what you think of Malakhi a.k.a The Messenger.
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