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Te Ao Hou, March 1966, Page 59

third concert party of New Zealand soldiers serving overseas which has been recorded for Kiwi. The singing of this group is somewhat better than that of their predecessors, although the overall performance is a little lack-lustre in parts. Mind you, comparison between the three groups is easy. Of the 17 items featured on LC-26, no less than 13 have been featured on the discs of at least one and sometimes both of the two other parties. Some diversification is surely called for if Kiwi decide in the future to add yet another soldier concert part to its line-up! Specific criticisms of the disc are the guitar accompaniments to the chants (No!), the soloist's singing garbled words in ‘E te Hokowhitu’ and the rather dispirited haka taparahi — it is painfully obvious in ‘Ruaumoko’ that not all of the performers are certain of the words. On the credit side there are nicely balanced voices in some of the songs, and the cover is a very striking one with adequate notes. The record should be enjoyed by those who hear it. Talofa Samoa: Bernadette Grey and the Henry Rudolph Singers Kiwi EA 108 7in 45 EP Songs of My Fiji: Amena Wainibu and the Kava Bowl Boys Kiwi EA 114 7in 45 EP Kiwi have made their debut in the field of Pacific Island music with these two very pleasant little records. ‘Talofa Samoa’ will be a firm favourite with those who buy it. The tunes are catchy, the soloist Bernadette Grey has a very pleasant voice and the backing by the Henry Rudolph orchestra and singers is excellent. ‘Songs of My Fiji’ may not have such wide appeal. It features a number of Fijian ‘kava bowl songs’ composed by a young Islander Amena Wainibu, and sung by himself and a group of his fellow patients from the Makogai Leprosarium. Amena Wainibu introduces each item, and does so very well. New Zealanders unused to the typical Fijian close harmony will find the tunes much of a muchness and perhaps even a little monotonous by the time they get to the last one. For those who have visited these friendly islands, the plaintive quality of the singing and the gay little songs will evoke a touch of nostalgia. The following records have all been on the market for a considerable time. ‘Maori Songs’ St Joseph's Maori Girls' Choir Viking VE 146, 45 EP 7in Viking have a number of records (not all featuring completely new offerings) of this fine group. All of them are marked by excellent fidelity in the quality of the recording, so that one feels that one is actually in the hall with the choir. This record is no exception, and will admirably satisfy the needs of those who want a sample of the choir without wishing to buy one of the more expensive 12 inch discs which are available. Side one features ‘Toia Mai te Waka Nei’ and ‘Nei ra Ahau’. The former is spirited: the latter is more subdued and is marred by a tendency for the choir to fade away at the end of lines. Side two has ‘Pa Mai’ and a poi item. The first verse of Pa Mai should never have been used for the recording, for in the last line some of the choir sing the line ‘Haere mai …’ etc, whilst the remainder sing the correct ‘Kia kaha …’ This error is fortunately rectified in their second run through the song. Nevertheless one wonders why such an obvious error was not corrected before the tapes were transferred to the master disc. The poi item is good but lamentably there are no notes on the cover to explain poi to the uninitiated, or even to identify the sounds heard on the record with the cover picture of the girls twirling poi. An American acquaintance of mine on listening to the item said, ‘Say are they playin' a drum or sumthin'?’ ‘Maori Melodies’ Hukarere Church of England School Choir Viking V250–9 10 in 33⅓ LP The Hukarere Choir has a warmer and less strident tone than St Joseph's Girls' Choir, and hence their record seems much earthier and less ephemeral. However, there is a sameness of tempo and presentation about the items which leads me to say that the record is pleasant but undistinguished. Nevertheless I enjoyed the record and am happy to recommend it. ‘Hakas in Hi-Fi’ ‘Te Aute Maori Club Viking VE 61 7in 45 EP Half the haka featured on this record are haka waiata and the remainder are taparahi. They are performed with spirit and precision and the words come through clearly and vigorously.