Carolyn Malachi concert review
Review written by: Raven Ekundayo – Editor-in-Chief
Photography by: Edith Williams
I had the chance to check out Carolyn Malachi live a couple of months ago. She invited eXcapethematriX to her performance at Eden’s Lounge and me and ETM photographer, Edith Williams, we ready for a great show.
I stepped into the dimly lit space which is Eden’s on a cold and rainy evening. Carolyn’s voice floated out to greet you as you entered the building. She was rehearsing and I looked to be early. I put my things down and greeted Edith who was already there. Carolyn came down and greeted me with a hug. She then brought me on stage to introduce me to her band “Q” which consisted of band members, Preach, Euriel and Rodney. The band of brothers had pretty cool energy and I appreciated Carolyn making sure they all knew who I was.
I left to go back to my seat close to the foot of the stage and rehearsals continued. I spoke to a few people and after awhile Edith and I started to wonder if something was wrong as the show was running pretty far behind. Edith shared with me that a performance at that venue one week before ran behind like this as well so we figured that maybe the advertisements wanted folks their early. 
All of that didn’t matter once the band started playing “Girl you knock me out”. We were now in the zone. Carolyn stepped on stage, tea in hand, and said “Rainy nights are good for love songs”. She started off the evening with the songs “So beautiful” and “Eutaw”. The audience was intimate and seemed just right for the energy inside and outside of Eden’s on that night. Carolyn’s energy pushed all the rain away and worked with it at the same time. It was like one of those days when it was bright and sunny outside but it’s raining. “My feet hurt, But I look good” she shared with the audience. We laughed more so because it was true than at the joke itself. The sister is beautiful and her voice matches her look. This is rare. Her chemistry with the audience was great. It kept us the entire night. Watching her was like watching 2 different queens inhabiting the same body. This emcee and this singer, a beautiful sight.
She went into her 3rd song “World is a ghetto” and I sat there wondering where was her major label deal. But I quickly changed my way of thinking. What if a major deal would hinder her creativity? Would her music still be this beautiful and honest? Her transition from soulstress to sistress is flawless. The words of the song are captivating, especially for 
someone like me who prides himself on being a lyricist. I love her words, but truth be told it all fades away when it comes to her voice. The Harlem Renaissance flows through her vocal chords.
Every time I thought I found my favorite song of the night she sang a new one that changed my mind. The next song was “Love on the median”. This remains my favorite song from her second cd “Revenge of the Smart Chicks II: Ambitious Gods”. “I’m not that much of a deviant, I just want love on the median, like strangers fast and immediate, I wanna meet you on the median. That’s something everyone wants to try, everyone but the love of my life.” When listening to this song you find that’s it’s truly one of the most interesting on her latest project, during her performance she says “There comes a time where you have to make a daily decision to be yourself”. One would hope the audience heard her. If not daily then definitely a lifetime decision.
She then slowed it down and went into Anita Baker’s “Been so long”. She followed that with Jill Scott’s “He loves me" (Lyzel in E Flat). I don’t care for people touching Jill. That’s my baby. Lol. See while Carolyn’s voice pretty much let you know she could sing the song, nobody is Jill so I was ready for the next track, however, I enjoyed her Anita Baker cover.
She ended the night with yet another fav of mine from her second project, “Organic Soul”. Dedicated to one of the longest running open mic spots in Baltimore, this is such a beautiful piece of art. 
Musically this may very well be the best song on the album and live it sounds awesome. The electric guitar intro and drums….it gives me chills just thinking about it. The atmosphere of the night didn’t give to getting up out of your seat and dancing around but this track screams for your spirit to lift you up and move you around. What a great way to end the night.
It’s a blessing to find an artist who sounds amazing live as well as on their cd. This is what you’ll get when dealing with Baltimore artists though. It’s great to know that Carolyn is yet another brilliant artist who represents us.
