Records

Rip It Up, Issue 116, 1 March 1987, Page 32

Records

Aotearoa He Waiata Mo Te Iwi Tai e I remember saying a few years back that Herbs’ debut What’s Be Happen was a milestone in New Zealand music. I said so because I felt that indigenous popular music had finally found an authentic voice. He Waiata (“Sing for Our People”) confirms that sentiment. Young Maori people are rediscovering their culture, telling it in their own language, as well as the one introduced. There’s a long way to go, but this album gives enormous cause for optimism. To better understand this record, you'd be advised to write to Jayrem Records, PO Box 3054, Wellington, and ask for the publicity handout, which includes wellwritten explanations of the songs sung in Maori, which make up nearly 50 percent of the album. The sentiments of these songs are the strongest. They are unashamedly political in places, but then what are Maori politics? Right now, they hardly conform to any mainstream party line. The Maori nation, having been tossed and turned throughout its history, now

seeks to control its own destiny. For Caucasians, it is confusing. We are being shown a reverse side of the culture we have created, and the picture is not always pretty. Maybe if we listened more than we talked, we might learn something. The songs of young Maori people would be a good place to start. The singing of Aotearoa grows ever stronger, and the production by Dennis Mason is as good as you’ll get anywhere. Mason also sings on “Young, Gifted and Black,' one of two covers. The other is Joy Yates and John Macrae’s ‘Whakarongo.’ The publicity sheet also contains another complaint on the lack of radio airplay for music of groups such as Aotearoa. Those who feel strongly enough about this subject might care to lend support to Auckland’s Access Radio experiment next month. For further information, telephone 771-295. Duncan Campbell

Various Artists Massive 2 Virgin Various Artists Reggae Blasters Vol 2 Jayrem Do local record companies really think reggae only sells in compilations? I must have seen five of

these in only a couple of months. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Anything is better than nothing. I just think Virgin should consider re-releasing some of its classic Frontline albums (not just the comps), and that Jayrem should renew its search for other labels unavailable here. ;

The second Virgin collection is as streetbeat as its predecessor, and will thus probably sell more on cassette than disc (a common factor in reggae releases here). Its trend towards sticky sweet lovers rock may leave some people cold (I could do with some more grit, if you knowarramean). Tops are Aswad’s ‘Kool Noh,’ Beres Hammond’s ‘She Loves Me Now,’ Tiger’s ‘No Puppy Love,’ Maxi Priest’s ‘ln the Springtime’ and Shinehead’s ‘Who the Cap Fit.’ Has Virgin got the rights to his LP? All the above tracks, save the last, are archetypal UK reggae — slick synthesised skanking. Shinehead stands alone here, his roots rapping showing promise. The Blasters set contains tracks available on other Jayrem LPs released here. A nice touch is the inclusion of Aotearoa’s ‘Stand Up for Your People.’ I’ve seen Jayrem titles listed in catalogues overseas, so exposure in this company will do them no harm. What I cant understand is why they put Bunny

Wailer’s picture on the cover. He doesn’t appear anywhere on the album.

Duncan Campbell