Nga Tae

A perfect collaboration blending Maori vocals, traditional taonga pūoro instrumentation and modern electronics, Nga Tae (meaning ‘group of many colours’) is a bi-cultural New Zealand quartet whose members come from both indigenous and European pakeha ancestry. On the Maori side, female singer Waimihi Hotere’s haunting vocals contrast beautifully with the male strength of Horomona Horo, who mixes traditional Te Reo Maori lyrics with a touch of English rapping. Their voices are perfectly complemented by keyboardist-producer Paddy Free (one-half of electronic duo Pitch Black), and the renowned ethnomusicologist, lecturer and musician Richard Nunns, widely regarded as the world’s leading authority on traditional Maori instruments.

Nunn’s involvement is key, as his expertise on many taonga pūoro instruments – the result of many years research alongside the late Maori composer/scholar Hirini Melbourne – has led to a revival of these ancient instruments, some of which had not been played for over a century. They include the whirling poiawhiowhio (whistling poi); the percussive tumutumu, made from a whale jawbone; various end-blown koauau and nguru nose flutes; and a jade pahu pounamu gong. While it’s sometimes difficult to differentiate their organic sounds from Free’s unobtrusive sonic accompaniment, the combined ambient effect here is mesmerising. Hotere’s soaring chants are particularly effective on the tracks ‘Mai I Te Kore’ and ‘Kohatu’. Struggling with Parkinson’s Disease these days, Nunn has wisely passed on his taonga pūoro knowledge to his protege Horo. Long may these unique Aotearoan sounds continue. Magic.