Spotlight: Some Other Planets

OMG, as the kids say. (Do they still say that?!) Some Other Planets is the name for a collaboration of some of my favourite leftfield NZ producers and musicians; namely Riki Gooch (Eru Dangerspiel, Trinity Roots), Julien Dyne (Opensouls), Parks (Ladi6) and (the "grumpy" one, tbh) Christoph El Truento (@Peace).

Seriously? Seriously.

While I've not yet uncovered any original material from this little corker of a collective, they have let slip a mix that you can listen to (below), and download (right here), should you so desire.

WARNING: for a group comprising beatmakers, drummers and percussionists, this mix is surprisingly beatless. Open your ears, wide...

Could be worth checking their live debut out at Golden Dawn, Thu 21st Feb too. More info on that here...

Review: Bella Kalolo 'Without The Paper'

BELLA KALOLO
Without The Paper
[Bella Sounds]

There's something about Bella Kalolo's debut solo album Without The Paper I just can't quite put my finger on. It's not the part-Samoan, part-Tongan, part-Maori songstress' velvety voice, which drapes itself languorously over mellow soul as srikingly as it tears through heavy funk stylings. It's not The Soul Symphony, the crack backing band - whose number includes master drummer Darren Mathiassen (Trinity Roots, Hollie Smith) and Bella's husband Alistair Isdale - as they're skin-tight and razor-sharp throughout. And it's certainly not her pedigree, as Bella recently performed at Glastonbury and has worked extensively as a vocalist for the last ten years performing and/or recording with Don McGlashan, Dave Dobbyn, Fat Freddy's Drop and Nathan Haines, among many others. Ultimately though, what lets the album down is the song writing, as too many of these tracks sound too derivative for Without The Paper to be anything other than a solid, but enjoyable debut.

2 and 1/2 stars from 5

Live Review: TrinityRoots at Powerstation Fri 2 Sept

This week sees the launch of a brand new weekly street press title: Volume is edited by Sam Wicks (a scholar & a gentleman, both) and features interviews, reviews and plenty of opinion about music - good and bad. But mostly good. As evidenced by Issue #1 cover stars, Drab Doo-Riffs.

I've had the good fortune to be invited to write for the mag (#shamelessselfpromotion), and even managed to sneak into the debut issue with a live review of the recent TrinityRoots gig at Auckland's Powerstation...

TRINITYROOTS
With Tyra Hammond and The Bluebirds
The Powerstation, Auckland
Friday 2 September

TrinityRoots' third coming saw a refigured lineup looking to continue the legacy of one of New Zealand's best-loved bands. The diversity of the crowd underlined the esteem in which Trinity are held, with their fresh blend of deep roots reggae and psychedelic rock only part of their appeal. That undeniable bro-ish charm is undoubtedly another part; yet these are jazz school alumni with serious musical chops, unafraid of stretching songs live every which way. So shit was hype. Anticipation was high. And due to one of the founding members leaving the band only a few months ago, there was genuine excitement: who the fuck was going to replace sticks man Riki Gooch?

Opening act Tyra Hammond and The Bluebirds didn't so much heighten anticipation, as cause a certain amount of restlessness. Everyone loves each of those guys - and Tyra is a genuine star - but a handful of seemingly hurriedly put together blues covers did them no favours. Thankfully they closed with a couple of tracks taken from the Opensouls' excellent Standing In The Rain album.

Any concerns about the punters' attentions spans were dashed the instant TrinityRoots took the stage, opening with an expansive version of Two By Two. It must've been terrifying for new drummer Jean Pompey to step into this scene, but she showed no sign of nerves, as she set about pummeling her drums right from the outset. Lacking the power of Gooch, she made up for it with her dexterous and busy playing; and the group sounded as cohesive as ever, if not more so. Her warm vocals were a welcome addition, and the harmonies she, frontman Warren Maxwell and bass player Rio Hunuki Hemopo cooked up (alongside the shadowy figure of Mark Vanilau, who also added keys and guitar) stepped the sound to another level. Indeed, an unexpected highlight was Pompey singing Dawn Penn's No, No, No from behind the drums.

From a loping, lolloping ride through The Dream, a fiercely dubby version of Egos and an outstanding reading of Home, Land & Sea, it was clear to the adoring crowd that, even without one of their cornerstones, TrinityRoots are still capable of laying down music that breaks through barriers, transcends age and race, and unites those who really care to listen. Amen.

This review was originally pubished in issue #001 of Volume magazine, 6 Sept. 2011

Review: Little Bushman 'Te Oranga'

LITTLE BUSHMAN
Te Oranga
[Little Bushman]

Little Bushman often reference Jimi Hendrix as one of their bigger influences; but it's really his warrior spirit they seek to rouse with their gloriously orchestral cacophony of '60s psychedelic rock, lyrical folk and Maoritanga blues - and saying you sound like Hawkwind isn't anywhere near as cool, eh bro. Te Oranga is the difficult third album from the four-piece led by Warren Maxwell, surely already an official NZ music legend having also fronted Trinity Roots and played with Fat Freddys Drop. With a gentler approach than 2007's grandiose Pendulum, Te Oranga blends the song craft of The Beatles, the widescreen vision of Pink Floyd and the playing power of Led Zeppelin. Their Achilles heel is a tendency to sound like they're taking themselves very seriously, a major failing of many psych- and prog-rock bands. Happily, this occurs infrequently enough for Te Oranga to stand proudly alongside Maxwell's earlier work.

3 stars from 5

Review: WOMAD 2011 CD Sampler

Various Artists
WOMAD 2011 CD SAMPLER
[Cartell Music]

Famed world music festival WOMAD was first held in the UK in 1982 with audiences entertained by co-founder Peter Gabriel, Don Cherry, Drummers Of Burundi and others. There have been over 160 events in 21 countries since, with New Plymouth hosting the event annually since 2005. The first NZ WOMAD was in Auckland in 1997, and featured Afro Celt Sound System - who, having disbanded and re-united since, perform again in 2011. They are one of many highlights from this excellent sampler, alongside legendary Jamaican singer Horace Andy's wavering yet silky, sensuous voice; the passionate, engaging Creole Choir Of Cuba, sounding like Graceland on steroids; American Bob Brozman's delicious guitar wizardry; Chinese group Hanggai, who blend Beirut and The Pogues; the lilting ska of Trinidad and Tobago's Calypso Rose; and a lip-smackingly good version of The Dream by Trinity Roots. I couldn't recommend this music more. Buy any/all of the above.

5 stars from 5