Malina Moye – Live – La Belle Angele – Edinburgh blues club

Review By Darren McIntyre

Malina Moye is a singer/actress/entrepreneur/TV executive/record label owner/King’s Trust Ambassador/lefty guitarist from Minneapolis but resides in Los Angeles, California, who came to our attention in 2004. Malina has played on the Experience Hendrix Tour as its only female guitarist and played alongside Eric Johnson, Robert Randolph, Eric Gales, Brad Whitford, Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Jonny Lang. Malina has played the National Anthem to 80,000 fans at the Vikings-Cowboys game. Malina has given us Diamonds & Guitars in 2009, Rock n Roll Baby in 2014, Bad As I Wanna Be in 2018 & Dirty in 2023. Tonight she rolls into Auld Reekie to bring her infectious brand of pop/rock/soul & blues to the masses. please settle in as Malina & the boys hit the stage to rapturous applause as she sets out her stall as she and the boys launch into –

Instrumental – The opening salvo from Melina is a groovetastic, melodic intro that infuses soul, funk, pop, and blues with a smattering of rock thrown in for good measure. The boys are armed and ready as Malina steps forward and offloads with a slick, crisp, guitar-infused riff that settles us into our groove as the place takes in the talent oozing from the stage. The place is rippling with ‘ooh’s & aahh’s as this incredibly talented musician lets us know that she can play and then some. We know little about this musician except that she has bags & bags of talent and leadership that comes through in her playing. the venue is just getting warmed up as Malina shouts out, ‘Thank you, Edinburgh,’ as we applaud with joy as we stroll into –

Run Free – A funky, moody bassline drops in as Malina lets rip with her epic fingerwork as this soul-breathing beast hits us with all its might as the band brings the groove with this kick-ass piece. The vocals are soft and smooth and have plenty of swagger attached to them as the place gets on its feet and lets us know that tonight’s entertainment has kicked in big time. The slick, sleazy guitar work is just incredible as Malina brings the sizzle to this track as the rhythm section provides the funk with a punchy snare drum beat as the bass kicks let themselves be heard. The band is hitting us with a real funky, delicious bassline that really allows the track to breath as the place really takes this uber-talented young lady do her thing as we get into the groove with a real crisp, well-presented arrangement that just builds and builds as we roll into –

FINE – F’Up, Insecure, Neurotic & Emotionally Unstable – A bass kick gets the track off the ground as Malina unleashes her soulful vocals and chimes in with a real blues-infused groover that instantly puts us at ease as the cymbal snaps roll through the track and bring a solid snare beat that just fills every corner of the venue tonight. The guys are in tune and really giving their all as this sultry blues arrangement unfolds and just grabs our attention as the blues wraps itself around us. The classy piece is just taking us on a journey of discovery as Malina stands front and centre and just dumps massive licks upon us as the place laps up the musicianship that has been bestowed upon us tonight. we feel the groove pouring from the stage tonight as the band & Malina merge into 1 as this sizzling, epic track leaves itself on the stage as we applaud and holler as Malina thanks us for our unwavering support and is truly humbled by what is happening tonight as we applaud and get ready for –

Hustler’s Blues – Now Malina & I chatted before the show, and we shared our relationship with the King’s Trust, or as I know it, the Prince & Princess of Wales Trust. As most of you know, I am battling terminal cancer, and Malina dragged me up on stage to chat about it (I hope many of you were not bored by my story), but I felt humbled that she wanted to address it. The whole point is that proceeds from Hustler’s Blues go to the trust, which is close to my heart. Anyhoo, the track begins with a punchy rhythm section intro as the drums fill the air as the snare drum beats ripple through the venue as a kickass bassline drops in and gives this track depth, swagger and soul as the cool, slick guitar licks wander freely through the arrangement as Malina lets her soulful vocals lead the charge in this classy, mellow piece. The whole track is just a feel-good, uplifting composition that put a smile on my face as we let the boys do their thing as Malina comes at us with a real energy-zapping guitar riff that lets us feel the emotion pouring from the stage tonight as we let the band shift through the gears and bring us a real funky, blues-soaked piece that gives everyone a reason to be here tonight as we catch our breath and let Malina tell her story of her humble beginnings when she left Minneapolis and moved to Los Angeles with $20 dollars to her name but the rest is history as we stroll into –

K-Yotic (Bootsy Collins) – A crisp, rippling guitar riff opens the track as Malina gets ready to shred out with ease as she leans in with her incredible vocals that let the groove flow. The rhythm section is commanding the room with it’s punchy, pounding snare drum beats as the cymbal crashes rain down on us as this slick groover builds and really showcases this awesome musician as she delivers a real foot stomping, melodic number that has the place bouncin and groovin as we feel the energy rolling through the venue, the track is a real sludgy, riff laden beast that just allows Malina to show her class with a guitar as she steps forward and brings the heat with her awesome playing as the meaty snare drum beats rain down on us as the killer bassline drops in with a real funky, delicious tone that lets us know the band are ready to show us what they are made of as we rock into –

A Little Rough – The track begins with a punchy rhythm section that lets the groove flow through the intro as the snare drum beats ooze from the stage as Malina leans in and lets her sweet, mellow vocals tell their own story. The toe-tapping groove is just incredible as the boys get behind Malina and show us what they have with a full-on funk-laden bassline that defines what Malina Moye is all about as she ripples through the venue with a real gutsy, funky beat that just builds and builds as we feel the energy oozing from the track as we get our Wayne’s World vibe coursing through the track as the place feels the band’s awesome tones coming at us with all they have. the slick guitar work is just sublime as we witness something special tonight as the short but energising set really grabbed our attention as we come to the business end of the show as we stroll into –

Jumpin’ – A gutsy, punchy snare drum beat oozes from the stage as the band gets ready to rock out as Malina steps forward and hits us with a real uptempo, foot-stomping bruiser that just kicks ass. The soaring, melodic vocals really let the track sing as we feel the energy coming at us as the place feels the groove hitting us with all it has as the place gets into the funk element of tonight’s show. the slick, crisp bassline hits us with a real meaty, funk-related groove that works well with Malina’s slick guitar work as we clap our hands and stamp our feet to this real infectious piece that is a real nice way to take us into the final track of the evening in the form of –

Foxey Lady – A snare drum beat comes at us as Malina offloads with a crisp guitar lick that just gets us all up and grooving as we feel the energy oozing from the stage as this killer track really packs a punch. The full-on bassline drops in and hits us with a real groove-laden funk that suits the arrangement perfectly. As the place holders shout out loud to this awesome track, we get the unmistakable riff that just fills the air and puts smiles on faces as Malina lets her sweet, mellow vocals do the track justice. As we punch the air with joy as the track builds and builds and gives us a chance to witness these incredible guitar skills up close and personal for sure, I know Malina is coming back in the summer, so if you can catch her, or miss her at your peril.

Malina Moye –

Malina – Guitar/Vocals

Phil – Guitar

Steve – Bass

Eric – Drums

Setlist –

Instrumental Intro

Run Free

FINE – F’d Up, Insecure, Neurotic, Emotionally Unstable

Hustler’s Blues (A Nod To Myself)

K-Yotic

A Little Rough