Traditional treasures

Ariana Tikao and Al Fraser present an album of M ori musical riches from New Zealand

South Island song: Ariana Tikao and Al Fraser hail from Te Waipounamu

Nau Mai E K Hua

Ariana Tikao & Al Fraser

Rattle RAT-D106

Nau Mai E Ka¯ Hua is the first recorded collaboration between singer/ composer Ariana Tikao and Al Fraser, who furnishes her vocals in te reo (the Ma¯ori language of Aotearoa/new Zealand) with a cornucopia of Taonga pu¯oro (‘treasured sounds’), from traditional Ma¯ori music and ceremonial practice, which she also contributes. Hence the opening blast of pu¯ta¯tara (trumpet shell) is the first and most salient example, but other sounds include pu¯rerehua, the eerie ‘bull roarer’ gourd aerophone, gently sounded percussion and various flutes – such as pu¯to¯rino ko¯auau. One of the greatest pleasures arises from Tikao’s rich enunciation of words like ‘Papatu¯a¯nuku’ (‘Earth mother’) and ‘Ko¯auau’ in her Ka¯i Tahu dialect. There’s also visual pleasure to be had gazing into Tony Bridge’s gorgeously luminous photographs of rushing waters, which adorn the accompanying booklet. They’re appropriate because both Tikao and Fraser hail from the South Island, or Te Waipounamu – which means ‘the greenstone waters’(referring to the rivers where Ma¯ori still source local jade). ★★★★★