* * * * * Oceania & Hinewehi Mohi – Oceania * * * * *
Many centuries before there was a New Zealand, there existed Aotearoa, the ‘Long White Cloud’ homeland of Maori culture and civilisation. The first Europeans arrived with the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642. The Maori, however, prevented Tasman from landing on the soil of Aotearoa, and it wasn’t until Captain James Cook’s voyages in the following century that the country finally capitulated to European interests. In 1840 Aotearoa became New Zealand, a British colony.
Oceania is what happens when Maori culture meets the modern world. The result is extraordinary contemporary music; a rich palette of new sonic possibilities all freshly stirred for our musical delight.
At the heart of Oceania are Maori instruments, legends, history and language, presented to the world for the first time via the talents of singer/songwriter Hinewehi Mohi and the lead singer of British post-punk band Killing Joke, Jaz Coleman.
Over a decade ago Coleman left England for New Zealand, where he became the Composer in Residence for the Auckland Philharmonia. Coleman also recorded several albums for the Phillips Classics label, during which time he was fostering the idea of recording a contemporary Maori album.
This vague ambition was cemented when Jaz met Hinewehi at a traditional Maori blessing for the opening of a new building – in this case a recording studio.
By the time she met Jaz Coleman, Hinewehi had already established a formidable reputation as a singer/songwriter and as a director/producer for Maori programmes at Television New Zealand. Hinewehi has constantly championed the integrity of Maori culture and its contribution to the fabric of New Zealand.
Released in September 1999, Oceania was the first international Maori album. It has achieved double platinum sales in New Zealand and exceeded sales of 70,000 copies worldwide.
( Exotic and modern tones combined with Hinewehi Mohi’s famous voice melt together into a masterpiece. Every song has its interlude where native instruments appear. This album turns out smooth vibes. DON’T MISS THAT by all means. ) [ O Last.Fm ] | [ HM Last.Fm ]
Artist – Oceania & Hinewehi Mohi
Album – Oceania [ * * * * * ]
Release Date – 1999
Genre – Etheral, Dream-Pop, Electro-Pop, Singer-Songwriter, Female Vocalist
Tracklist
01 Pukaea (The Trumpet) 6:32
02 Kotahitanga (Union) 4:41
03 Hautoa (Warrior) 4:46
04 Hinerakatauri (Goddess Of Music) 4:55
05 He Tangata (People) 5:37
06 Kihikihi (Cicada) 6:23
07 Haera Ra (Farewell) 5:35
08 Pepepe (The Moth) 6:17
09 Tino Rangatiratanga (Self-Determination) 6:11
10 Hautoa (Warrior) – Bullet Park Remix 4:41
11 Kotahitanga (Union) – Bullet Park Remix 3:28
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Oceania & Hinewehi Mohi – Oceania
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Recommendations: Fever Ray | Love Spirals Downwards | Malory | Cranes | The Emerald Down
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