Whirimako Black: Kura Huna

By Pauline Berry

Musical anthropology and the extraordinary voice of Whirimako Black meet here in an epic, shimmering landscape. The source songs are waiatas and chants, mostly from the 1800s, sung entirely in Maori of course, but not understanding the lyrics is no obstacle to appreciation. Opener Engari Ti Titi takes the listener into a desolate but fascinating place, and not for the last time. Te Rongo O Te Tuna offers a more familiar melodic shape accompanied by gentle guitar pedal swells and keyboard sounds. Producer Russel Walder improvises on oboe beautifully over several tracks as well as providing all the programming, keyboards and beats. Guitarist Nigel Gavin is imaginative and tasteful, as always. Black's haunting, emotive vocals amidst a spacious and often exotic soundscape achieve a full and mesmerising potential. Distributed by Shock through Mai Music, as a preservation of Maori musical history this CD has an untouchable authenticity, so much more than 'mood music'. You can't help thinking you're listening to something very special, songs previously uncommitted to any such medium. The sounds and samples are contemporary but timeless. Whirimako Black's voice seems to evoke the very soul of ancient Aotearoa.

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Issues

NZ Musician

August/September 2005