Raashi Malik EP is the debut solo release from singer/songwriter Raashi Malik. This 32 minute long mini-album represents a musical journey; a coming together of cultures.

The journey began in 2006 where Malik, a New Zealander of Indian descent, travelled to India with husband, composer Rhian Sheehan, and recorded with prominent musicians all over India. In 2007, they returned home to Wellington to complete the recording process resulting in this distinctly Kiwi-Indian CD.

Raashi Malik's “graceful, honeyed silken tones” is mostly associated with Wellington band Rhombus, having collaborated with them on all 3 albums and having featured on their singles, Tour of Outer Space from platinum selling album Bass Player, and So Close from their latest self titled album. She has also incorporated Indian music into the bands eccletical style with Sojare, her own adaptation of a traditional Rajasthani folk song. An accomplished pianist, Malik has developed her own style of music over the years, described as a wonderful mixture of soul/jazz fusion & traditional Indian folk.

Raashi Malik EP begins with Ubo Jhada, an adaptation of a traditional Nepali folk song that Raashi has made her own. The first thing we hear is the familiar voice, warm and inviting. From there, Sheehan’s electric guitar merging with the piano, all of which sits in a beautiful bed of provocative Indian instrumentation. And at every moment the emotional centre is Malik’s voice assisted on the musical road by a talented cast of friends and musicians.

Produced by Malik and Sheehan and mixed by the meticulous ears of Simon Rycroft of Rhombus, this EP features the local talents of Rhian Sheehan, Thomas Voyce (Rhombus), Steve Bremner (Strike), Karnan Saba on soprano saxophone & Tim Beals. Raashi is also accompanied by the backing vocals of Andy Hummel (Woolshed Sessions, Rosy Tin Teacaddy) & Jess Chambers (Jess Chambers Project, Woolshed Sessions).

In India, Raashi was fortunate enough to work with sarangi player Murad Ali, who has also worked with the likes of Sting and Anoushka Shankar. She also recorded with top student of Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Partha Sarkar, kiwi ex-pat, Jarrod Wood, Musarrat Ali, Praveen Sethi, Shailendra Kumar & Sajjad Ahmed.

With its carefully constructed interlocking harmonies, honest lyrics, and interweaving of beautiful melodic Indian instrumentation, this EP is not the conclusion of a particular journey; rather it suggests an open pathway, a set of story-songs for the listener to revisit, drawing new conclusions. Tellingly, the final track is instrumental. It suggests that Malik has both more to say (vocally) and is already finding other ways to say it.