Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10
The Midlands city of Coventry isn’t really remembered for many things outside of its Cathedral, the legendary Lady Godiva the fantastic groups The Specials and The Selecter, being the home town of the poet Philip Larkin, the utter devastation it suffered in the Blitz and one brief shining moment for its football club in 1987 where the team did the unexpected and pulled off one of the most famous victories in F.A. Cup Final history.
Now there may be hope for the city for a set of new musical heroes to arise and bring forth young upcoming talent through the ranks of the Coventry’s history. In Malik & Pettite, the excitement is there and with their debut E.P. soon to be released, there is more than the flourishing roots of hope, there is real expectation emanating from the city that in recent years hasn’t had a lot to shout about.
The pair first met when it the full throws of their teenage years and soon begun writing songs together, the exhilarating nature of writing with someone you trust at such a young age can be the catalyst for some incredible times and superb lyrics, all wrapped up in a gentle memory of good music. For Steve Malik and Loz Pettite, that early founding has given them an absolute chance of success with their first four songs to be released.
Subtle, enjoyable and with just the right amount of creative verve, No More Love, Only You, Victoria and Rise Up have all the hall marks of songs that blend well and sit together on a debut E.P. in style. There is a long way to go off course, nobody could deny the high level they have to achieve to be placed in the same naked reverence as The Specials or the outstanding The Selecter. Whilst the music is calm, soothing and pleasurable, as with all good things it will take much determination on the band’s part to keep this great start going. You can only wish them all the success in the world.
Malik & Pettite’s debut E.P. is released on October 7th via United Producers Records as a download only.
Ian D. Hall