Thursday, December 22, 2011

CD Review: Te Vaka's 'Havili'

Te Vaka
Havili
Spirit Of Play Productions

The reknowned South Pacific enclave of Te Vaka continues to musically inspire audiences around the world. This is especially evident on their latest release, Havili. The group's members come from Tokelau, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Tuvalu, and Samoa. The traditional music is blended with upbeat, catchy rhythms that never disappoint. The incredible ocean of sound is extremely captivating. As with "Well...You Lied," on the previous release, Haoloto, Havili features one equally-upbeat, anthemic display of vocal and lyrical prowess on "Lovely World." The songs are in various languages, including Samoan, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, and English. The traditional log drums and contemporary musical arrangements are a perfect mix. The instrumental percussion segments are very intriguing. Anyone with an interest in South Pacific music and island rhythms should have a lot to sing about with Te Vaka's seventh release. ~ Matthew Forss 

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