Malik Alston is one of Detroit’s premier DJ’s, producers, performers, vocalists and improvisationists. Malik was influenced as a DJ by the groundbreaking radio show of the Electrifying Mojo, and the eclectic radio show of jazz aficionado Ed Love. The creativity of DJ/producers Kenny Dixon, Jr., Norm Talley, Craig Huckaby and Rich Medina has inspired Malik’s style on the decks. As a pioneer in electronic dance music, he produces and spins without boundaries, often fusing a multitude of styles to create a new innovation in sound. Malik’s use of keyboards, voice, effects and composition sets a new standard.
He has delighted audiences in the United States and abroad, inviting them into his unique world of sound. Malik toured the United States as a founding member of the DJ collective Rhythmic Fusion, bringing audiences unlimited excitement on the decks fused with stellar live performance. During the tour he shared the stage, performing with artists such as Eric Roberson, P.J. Morton, Mone’t, and Blue Nefertiti (of Les Nubians). He has toured in the U.S. with Dwele, and has appeared in Canada with Paul Randolph, and Jerry the Cat (as a founding member of Dark River Collective). He appeared in Tokyo, Japan as a featured artist in the Beatdown Sessions Series.
Malik currently performs original works as a keyboardist and vocalist with his solo project, Malik Alston & The Linwood Ensemble. The band has been warmly received at the Movement 14: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival, House of Blues in Chicago as the opening act for Les Nubians, and at return appearances at the Jazz Café at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Detroit. He has performed as a founding member of the jazzfusionhouse band Painted Pictures. His poetry and music performances have been featured with the poetry troupe EmRuop and in concert with the Last Poets, Gil Scott-Heron and Jessica Care Moore.
Malik has performed with Dwele, Les Nubians, Amp Fiddler, Bubs Fiddler, Louie Vega, Mr. V, Gabe Gonzalez, Blue Nefertiti, Eric Roberson, Martin Luther, The Linwood Ensemble, Painted Pictures, Sky Covington, Paul Randolph, MonicaBlaire, Marcus Belgrave, Allan Barnes, Baatin and Robert Glasper, among many artists.
He has written and produced for many artists, including Neco Redd, Maurissa Rose, LaRonn Dolley, Souldeacon, LaRae Starr, Sean Blackman, Marissa Guzman, Elmahdi Obeid, Craig Huckaby, Rich Medina, Alton Miller, Adesola Osakalumi (principal lead, as FELA!), Takashi Iio, Djallo Djakate, diamondancer, Recloose, Ray 7, John Arnold, :brownstudy, LaVeda Davis, Roy Davis, Jr., Al McKenzie, Dwayne Jensen, Doc Link, The Linwood Ensemble, Painted Pictures, Javontte, Badriyyah Wazeerud-Din, Howard Wazeerud-Din II, Yolanda Day, Pirahnahead, Gerald Mitchell, Billy Love, Veronique, Keith Beber, Nick Speed, D. Maurice, Jillian Jackson, Adeboye, Cencera Dervin.
Malik has produced hot new remixes for several artists in 2014, including Hurry, Hurry (Malik’s Let The Horn Play Mix) on It’s OK, by Andy Vaz (Yore Records), What Up Doe (Malik Alston’s Linwood Mix) on What Up Doe (The Detroit House Anthem) EP by Pirahnahead (Whasdat Music), Japanese Garden (Malik Alston’s Bee Stinger Mix) by Yusuke Hiraoka (Smooth Agent Records).
Malik is the CEO of his label, Truth Manifest Records, founded in 1997. He continues to be a creative vessel and convey passion in his music, with new and exciting projects soon to be released on Truth Manifest. He has released several well-received projects, including Beyond Jazz, Lost Files: The Beginning, This Music Is Life, Tuxedo Sessions, Dinner Music, Conscious Exposure and Malik’s Mind (Truth Manifest Records); Caterpillar EP (Third Ear Recordings), Butterfly on Beatdown Sessions Series Volume One (Third Ear Recordings). Classic singles from Malik’s repertoire, among many favorites, include Badeya, Back 2 Chicago, In A Better Way (Change) and Inside.
Selected Performances
Movement 14: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival
Movement 12: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival
2010 African World Festival
2009 – Rhythmic Fusion U.S. Tour, founding member, Rhythmic Fusion (live performance/DJ collective)
Movement 09: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival (with Kevin Reynolds)
2009 – Dwele, U.S. Tour, Background Vocalist
Movement 07: Detroit’s Electronic Movement Festival (presenting selections from his solo project, This Music Is Life)
2007 Comerica CityFest
2006 Winter Music Conference in Miami, Florida with a special performance, The Pocket: This Music Is Life
Movement 06: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival (special guest appearance with Louie Vega)
2005 Fuse-In: Detroit’s Electronic Movement (with Mike Clark)
Movement 04: Detroit’s Electronic Movement Festival (Painted Pictures)
2003 – Special solo concert appearance at Club Module in Tokyo, Japan (featured artist, Beatdown Sessions Series)
Residencies
2013 – Resident DJ/Host at the Grasshopper, Ferndale
2011-2012 – Resident DJ at Mars Bar, Detroit
2011 – Resident DJ at Pulse Lounge, Detroit
1999-2000 – Resident Live PA, The Velvet Room, Windsor, Canada
Special Projects
2014 – Composed and produced the original score for The Jitterbugs, Pioneers of the Jit (Hardcore Bros., LLC – 2014), a documentary on the pioneering art form of jit dance in Detroit. The film was warmly received at a standing-room only premiere, Jit Happens! at the DIA, at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
2008 - One of twelve featured Detroit artists on the 2008 Dodge promotional CD, Out of Detroit, Into Dodge. The project was distributed to first-anniversary vehicle owners for the International Owner Loyalty Program.
2006-2008 – Worked with the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, composed original music for radio and television commercials for the 2006-2008 Home Team Campaign, featuring members of the Detroit Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings, Lions and Shock. The campaign was geared to raise awareness and funds for regional Red Cross assistance programs.
Honors
2014 – Appreciation, The Jitterbugs, Pioneers of the Jit, Jit Happens! at the DIA
2007 – Nomination, Best Male Jazz Vocalist, Detroit Metro Area Musicians and Entertainers Association (DMAMEA)
2005 – Nomination, Outstanding Electronic/Dance Writer Producer of the Year, Detroit Music Awards
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY
EP Releases
Faith – The Remixes, 2011 / Veronique / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)
You Are – The Remixes, 2011 / Malik Alston / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)
Lost Files: The Beginning, 2011 / Malik Alston and Ray 7 / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)
Beyond Jazz EP, 2011 / Malik Alston / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)
Badeya Remixes, 2010 / Malik Alston / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)
In A Better Way (Change), 2010 / Malik Alston / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)
The FutureSoul EP – This Music Is Life, 2007 / Malik Alston / 12″ (Truth Manifest Records)
The Soulatin EP – This Music Is Life, 2007 / Malik Alston / 12″ (Truth Manifest Records)
Tuxedo Sessions EP, 2004 / Painted Pictures / 12″ (Truth Manifest Records)
Caterpillar EP, 2003 / Malik Alston / 12″ (Third Ear Recordings)
CD Releases
Malik Alston presents Truth Manifest In The Mix! Mixed By DJ Norm Talley, 2007 / various artists, compilation (Truth Manifest Records)
This Music Is Life, 2007 / Malik Alston (Truth Manifest Records)
Tuxedo Sessions [Japan Edition], 2005 / Painted Pictures (Truth Manifest Records / P-Vine Records)
Tuxedo Sessions, 2004 / Painted Pictures (Truth Manifest Records)
Dinner Music, 2001 / Malik Alston (Truth Manifest Records)
Conscious Exposure, 2001 / Malik Alston (Truth Manifest Records)
Poetic Reflections, 2000 / Malik Alston (Truth Manifest Records)
Malik’s Mind, 1997 / Malik Alston (Truth Manifest Records)
Singles/Collaborations
Promise Me Love (ft. LaRonn Dolley), 2014 / Malik Alston and LaRonn Dolley / Digital (Makin’ Moves)
Hurry, Hurry (Malik’s Let The Horn Play Mix) on It’s OK, 2014 / Andy Vaz / 12”, Digital (Yore Records)
What Up Doe (Malik Alston’s Linwood Mix) on What Up Doe (The Detroit House Anthem) EP, 2014 / Pirahnahead / Digital (Whasdat Music)
Japanese Garden (Malik Alston’s Bee Stinger Mix), 2014 / Yusuke Hiraoka / 12”, Digital (Smooth Agent Records)
I.D.F.D.F.I. on Dave Clarke: fabric 60, 2011 / Malik Alston and Ray 7 / CD (fabric Records)
Vibe Out on Out of Detroit, Into Dodge (Dodge promotional CD, International Owner Loyalty Program), 2008 / Malik Alston, MonicaBlaire, Neco Redd
Paige One, Sparkle on A Reason To Be, 2006 / Al McKenzie and Malik Alston / Al McKenzie / CD (AMAC Records)
Close To You on Up All Night, 2005 / Malik Alston and No Milk / No Milk / CD (Music Conception/Soundscape)
In A Better Way on Mahogani Music, 2005 / Jason Hogans and Malik Alston / CD (Mahogani Music)
Inside (Mr. Scruff Remix), Inside (Henrik Schwarz Remix) on Style and Pattern, 2005 / John Arnold and Malik Alston / John Arnold / CD (Ubiquity Recordings)
Inside on Detroit Soul: Real Soul Music From The Motor City, 2004 / John Arnold and Malik Alston / CD (Unisex Recordings)
Lightshine on African Diaspora Vol. 2: An Electronic Music Compilation, Cranbrook Art Museum, 2004 / Malik Alston / CD (Time Machine Commercial Recording Studios)
Back 2 Chicago, 2003 / Infinity feat. Malik / Roy Davis, Jr., Malik Alston, Doc Link / 12″ (King Street)
Butterfly on Detroit Beatdown Vol. 1, 2002 / Malik Alston / 3 x LP, 2 x CD (Third Ear Recordings)
Cardiology on Cardiology, 2002 / Recloose and Malik Alston / Recloose / CD, 12″ (Planet E)
Shari Vari, 2002 / Malik Alston, Sky and Mike Grant (Remix) / 12″ (Puzzlebox)
Funk All Y’all on Funk All Y’all, 2000 / Detroit Grand Pubahs / CD, 12″ (Jive Electro)
Booking/Production: 313.790.6323