THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

AWARD-WINNING CREW MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS ARE FREEING THEIR MINDS FOR THE NEXT ADVENTURE. KIMBERLEY DADDS REPORTS

Despite winning the Best Jazz album accolade at this year’s Indonesian Music Awards, Maliq & D’Essentials refuse to be pigeonholed. Band member and keyboard player Ifa says the seven-piece group fuses a number of musical influences to create their own refreshing sound.

“Our references come from black music. There are many influences, from reggae to disco. We usually call it soul, or simply ‘Maliq Music’.”

Aside from its own sound, the band has its own philosophy. Maliq is an acronym for the group’s personal mantra – ‘Music And Life Instrument Quality’, while d’Essentials describes the backing band. Still supported by a solid core of fans who followed the band over the three years it toured cafés and lounges across Indonesia, Maliq gigs now attract thousands. “In Malaysia and Brunei, we haven’t released anything formally, but somehow they’ve gotten hold of our CD and it’s getting lots of air play.” Ifa says Maliq’s distinctive style and stage act turns heads as well. “We put a lot of thought into our arrangement and appearances, from the costumes to choreography.”

Maliq & D’Essentials’ second album Free Your Mind has been repackaged for a motion picture and is getting strong airplay across Indonesia. The band is already beginning to record its next album, which should hit stories in early 2009.