Te Vaka
Olatia
© 2007 Spirit of Play Productions (9421024210809)
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Tribal, rootsy and atmospheric, featuring Pacific grooves, gorgeous harmonies and infectious log-drum rhythms.
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notes
Te Vaka is a group of ten musicians and dancers from Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa, Cook Islands, and New Zealand brought together under the inspired leadership of Opetaia Foa'i, one of New Zealand's finest songwriters. They have been wowing international audiences since 1997, presenting a rich, luscious mix of Polynesia's ancient culture, to the modern world and have just been announced the winners of the “Best Pacific Group” award in the 2008 Pacific Music Awards”
Te Vaka has performed in the USA and toured the UK, Europe & other parts of the world extensively over the last 11 years, performing in such prestigious venues as London’s Royal Festival Hall and Ronnie Scott’s nightclub. The group has headlined music festivals throughout Europe and been favourites at WOMAD festivals around the world including the WOMAD Festival in Seattle, USA. They have been nominated for two BBC Radio 3, World Music Awards - Best “Asia Pacific” and the “Audience Choice Award” categories.
Opetaia Foa’i is the songwriter/ lead vocalist of the group. The inspiration for his music comes from his multi-cultural upbringing - half Tokelauan, half Tuvaluan, born in Samoa and bought up in a Tokelauan community in New Zealand. Opetaia’s musical background spans both the traditional and the diverse influences of contemporary metropolitan culture.
Described as “one of New Zealand’s finest songwriters” and “ a true son of the Pacific”, he won the Senior Pacific Artist award in 2005 for his contribution to the Pacific Arts.
Te Vaka has performed in over 30 countries around the world and released five albums to date. The first gained immediate worldwide acclaim and recognition for the group. Released through ARC Music, a UK based Record company, the album was distributed to over 80 countries. The second album, released in 1999 through Warm Earth Records has created an even bigger impact going to number one on world music charts and in some countries mainstream radio. The third album, released in May 2002, has been described as “Phenomenal” and gained the group a nomination in “Best Roots” category in the New Zealand music awards. The 4th album Tutuki , entered the European World Music Charts at no. 4 & the Global Rhythm top 10 chart at no. 3. It won a Tui for “Best Pacific Music Album” in the New Zealand music awards. The latest Te Vaka album Olatia, released in July 2007 is achieving rave reviews, also entering the European World Music Chart at No. 4 and currently winning "Best Pacific Album" in the New Zealand music awards.
reviews
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Rhythm Magazine, Tony Hillier
author: Julie FoaiThose who managed to catch Te Vaka between the showers at the Woodford festival earlier this year will attest to the fact that they are a visually arresting act. With their strongly percussive groove, soulful lead vocals and sweet South sea harmonies, they are equally exciting in an audio sense. Although New Zealand-based, their music is rooted in the soul of Polynesia per se, and meshes the stirring rhythm of traditional log drumming with socially and politically aware songs sung in Tokelau, Tuvaluan and Samoan. The concluding ‘Our Ocean’ – commissioned by Greenpeace – is the only track on Olatia not sung in language. The interjection of chunkier beats, while no means obtrusive, gives ‘Ke faitatala’ (‘We need to talk’) a more contemporary edge. The blend of ancient and modern peaks in ‘Mataliki’ (‘Little stars’). Another of the album’s showcase numbers ‘Te Kupu’ (‘The word’), starts with a South Sea Islands chorus containing some extraordinary vocal harmonies, before hitting a funky instrumental groove. “Tu Tokatahi’ with it’s haka style vocals, is another with anthemic quality. Opening track ‘Vakaaitu’ sets the tone, with dreamy vocals laid on top of a log drum bed. ‘Lima Tane’, featuring the Hawaiian ipu, is the most compelling of the set's three instrumentals, one of which (‘Lua afe’) was performed by this globe-trotting band at last year’s Rugby World Cup in France, where it spurred on the All Blacks and Manu Samoa teams (though insufficiently, as history records! Rhythms Magazine Australia Tony Hillier