Feather Spines

An unusual New Zealand collaboration between two Wellington-based female musicians who have been working on this project since 2019, Tāmira Pūoro brings together Māori taonga pūoro (Indigenous traditional instruments) player and cellist Ruby Solly, with classical harpist Michelle Velvin. Solly has worked with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, and NZ compatriots Whirimako Black, Trinity Roots and new ensemble Tararua, and Velvin is the principal harp for Orchestra Wellington.

The album combines a series of impressionistic instrumentals featuring taonga pūoro, harp and cello, with several vocal compositions. The haunting instrumental track ‘Pure’ evokes misty Aotearoa landscapes, while ‘Tea’ conjures up more pastoral mental images. The spoken-word poetry of the title-track contrasts with the harmonised a cappella vocals and birdsong mimicry of ‘Huia and the Magpie’, which tells the tale of a now-extinct New Zealand wattlebird. Elsewhere ‘Baby Dream’ blends Te Reo Māori and English lyrics. Understated, gentle and organic, Feather Spines is a very well-crafted work that successfully merges influences from both Māori and pākehā (New Zealanders of European descent) culture.