Inoni Ana Totoraha

With an energy beyond that of normal mortals, these enthusiastic Solomon Islanders are a festival promoter's dream: Melanesian men with killer smiles and tree-trunk thighs, drumming up a percussive storm on their giant thongophones (large percussion instruments), while blowing up an even bigger tempest on their breathy panpipes. They look great and routinely get audiences pumped up with their very first song, and keep them there throughout their exhilarating set.

Of course, some of that visual excitement is unavoidably lost on recordings, but that doesn’t stop Narasirato (meaning ‘Cry for Sunshine’) from making fascinating and highly listenable albums. Recorded in their home village of Oterama on the island of Malaita, the entire 17-strong crew participated in the sessions and credit must also go to producer Jason Mayall for capturing such a clear sound in less than ideal conditions; also to London mixer Nick Manasseh for his added audio wizardry.

This is a solid album from strong people, whose 3,000-year-old culture, way of life and fragile environment are currently under attack from international mining, logging and fishing interests. The rollicking title-track (which translates as ‘Man of Culture’) is the standout, while elsewhere the group's lyrics, in the Are-are language, speak of tribal history, family, genealogy and sea-fishing. Lead singer Aloysius Gonzaga Mauhana is in good voice, and his high-stepping kin keep the non-stop panpipes and rhythms in high gear.