Bird Like Men

The debut album from this new Aotearoa (New Zealand) quartet brings together four distinctive Kiwi artists: female Māori singer-musicians and taonga pūoro (traditional indigenous instruments) players Ariana Tikao and Ruby Solly; pākehā (white New Zealander) taonga pūoro exponent Al Fraser; and New Zealand/Canadian bassist Phil Boniface.

Currently based in Wellington, Tikao and Solly’s whakapapa (ancestral genealogy) is rooted in New Zealand’s South Island (Te Waipounamu), where Fraser was also raised, while Boniface hails from the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui). Combining as Tararua – which translates as ‘Two Peaks’ – their shared music is a true blending of ancient-contemporary influences and directions, which impressively demonstrates the deep versatility of the old taonga pūoro instruments when used in a modern context.

Solly’s delicate cello merges beautifully with the strength of Boniface’s bass on tracks like ‘Kōhaka’ and ‘Tūtūmaiao’, while Tikao and Solly’s voices complement each other perfectly on ‘Haereka’ and ‘Aroraki’. While it’s difficult to discern which of the three gifted taonga pūoro players is featured on individual tracks, Fraser’s virtuosic talents are evident throughout. And the fusing of the bowed strings, taonga pūoro and choir-like vocals on ‘Hinepūkohuraki’ is totally mesmerising. This evocative ensemble is breaking new-old ground in a very creative way. Truly magnificent.