Small Island Big Song

A little idea that's grown into a large project, Small Island Big Song is the brainchild of Australian sound producer and filmmaker Tim Cole and his Taiwanese partner BaoBao Chen. For Cole, who's previously worked with culturally diverse musicians from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and elsewhere, it's been a labour of love – assisted by a Churchill Fellowship. The original concept evolved into a three-year journey to 16 Pacific and Indian Ocean island nations, acoustically recording indigenous musicians in natural settings, and layering their collaborative contributions together in a cultural mash-up. Based on the Austronesian migration theory that many present-day Oceanic cultures originated in Taiwan, the project reaffirms musical links between cultures as far afield as Hawaii, Madagascar, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Borneo, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Guam and Rapa Nui (Easter Island). With over 100 musicians taking part, the resulting 18-track album fuses their individual performances into a smorgasbord of overlapping styles, accentuating both the similarities and regional differences of traditional instruments, voices, language and rhythm. It's also a heartfelt plea for environmental awareness and preservation.

‘Gasikara’ introduces PNG percussionist Airileke and Torres Straits rapper Mau Power to Madagascar's Samoela Andriamalalaharijaona (of Tarika Sammy) and his compatriot Sandro, who raps that ‘the turtles are crying’ from damage being done to coral reefs. The Hawaiians weigh in strongly, with Kuana Torres Kahele's falsetto vocals celebrating the Mauna Kea forests on ‘Mele O Ke Kipuka’, and a remarkable female ancestral chant from Kekuhi Kealiikanakaoleohaililani. Elsewhere there's Polynesian/Melanesian log-drumming, indigenous Taiwanese harmonies, Rajery's beautiful Malagasy valiha (zither) and Gus Teja's delicate Balinese flute. Maori voices imitate forest birdsong, Alena Murang contributes some gentle Sarawak sapé (lute) and Charles Maimarosia offers breath-heavy Solomon panpipes. With gorgeous accompanying videos available on the project's website, a full DVD on the near horizon and a touring ensemble gearing up for festivals worldwide, Small Island Big Song is really only just beginning. Simply brilliant.