- artist:Moana
- release year:2004
- style(s):Ambient, Songwriter
- country:New Zealand
- formats:CD (Compact Disc)
- record posted by:Maorimusic.com
- label:Tangata
http://www.moananz.com
‘Tahi, Rua, and now Toru…’ The third album by Moana was as much influenced by Moana’s visits to the Buddha Bar in Paris, as her continuing love of moteatea.
‘I heard very cool Indian and Arabic music mixed in with contemporary grooves – and that kind of fusion was what I started on my previous albums,’ says Moana. ‘So the moteatea style of vocalising is predominant. But there is a definite R & B groove to ‘Te Kohu’ and ‘Hine Te Iwaiwa, which isn’t suprising given the producer (Tony Battle) and his L.A roots.’
Favourite tracks on the new album include ‘Te Ha’ ‘Hine te iwa iwa’ and ‘Te Po’, the latter of which is a theme song for the short film by Moana’s partner, filmmaker Toby Mills.
‘What I like most about it is that we recorded Hirini singing,’ says Moana. ‘It’s a very dark song about tortuous, obsessive love and I quite like that. Not big on poppy lovesongs.’
A video for the song ‘Hine te Iwaiwa’ was filmed among ancient ruins in Greece and is currently in production.
‘Te Kakano’ (Iwi Hit Disc) talks about whakapapa, and how even those who can’t find out the details about their whakapapa, can still link to the ancestors who first bought us to Aotearoa,’ says Moana. ‘Those of us brought up within the comforts of our tribe and whanau need to realise that those same units sometimes put pressure on young mothers to adopt their offspring out, and those children too have a place to stand in Maori society.’
‘The delay with ‘Toru’ was due to a lack of inspiration on the political front,’ laughs Moana.
‘Maori politics always fed my songwriting – and it hasn’t excited me at for a while. I found it more interesting making documentaries with Toby. These new songs focus more on spirituality and some are actually quite personal – which is a bit of a first for me.’
‘Toru’ is full of cruisy, mellow songs,’ says Moana. ‘I’m not aiming at the dance floor. This is your ‘thinking person’s chill-out album…thinking while you sway.’
http://www.moananz.com