South Pacific Islands
Contemporary music from the beautiful islands of the South Pacific.

Blessed with stunning natural beauty and unique cultures, the islands of the South Pacific have long symbolized paradise on Earth to outsiders. Of course, life is more complicated than travel brochures and Gauguin paintings would lead one to believe. The people of the South Pacific, like elsewhere, struggle with the impact of modernization and are fighting to revitalize and redefine their traditions before they disappear.

Many of the artists featured on this CD are little known outside their country of origin. A notable exception is the wonderful 11-piece group from New Zealand, Te Vaka, which has enticed the world with the music, costume and dance of the South Pacific. From timeless roots in Polynesia, Te Vaka has incorporated contemporary influences to create something that is new, refreshing and exciting. They have performed in the USA and toured the UK and Europe extensively over the last 5 years, performing at London’s Royal Festival Hall and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. The group has headlined music festivals throughout Europe and been favourites at WOMAD festivals around the world. Little wonder; their music is brilliant.

Fellow New Zealander Whirimako Black endeavors to bring Maori music, culture, and language to a broader audience.

Both Telek and O-shen come from Papua New Guinea, a tropical archipelago of dense rainforests and active volcanoes. Telek combines ancient Tolai traditions and contemporary Western music without compromising his native culture. O-shen, the son of American missionaries who was raised in a remote Papuan village, fuses traditional Pacific music with hip-hop and reggae.

OK! Ryos and Gurejele are leading figures in New Caledonia’s Kaneka movement, a unique music that blends local polyphonic singing styles and traditional rhythms of the Kanak culture with pop and world beat flavors.

Finally, from far-off Rapa Nui, better known as Easter Island, comes Matato’a. Their native language is now spoken by less than 3000 people and is blended here with an upbeat, cross-cultural mix of music.

This enhanced CD features an OK! Ryos music video filmed on the picturesque beaches of New Caledonia, as well as informative liner notes in English, Spanish, and French, striking Lonely Planet photographs and the recipe of a traditional South Pacific dish.

Tracks include:
Te Vaka - Luliana
Matato'a - Mana Ma'Ohi
Te Vaka - Sei Ma Le Losa
Telek - Abebe
Te Vaka - Haloa Olohega
OK! Ryos - Nengone Nodegu
Whirimako Black - Wahine Whakairo
Te Vaka - Nukukehe
O-shen - Siasi
OK! Ryos - Co Era So
Gurejele - Watolea

What they say about NI..