MEMORIES OF MAORILAND

Te Ao Hou, June 1967, Page 63

MEMORIES OF MAORILAND A Complete Maori Concert with Te Pataka Maori Entertainers Kiwi LC-40 12in 33 ⅓ LP Ever since this record was issued some years ago in ten-inch form I have maintained that it provides one of he best selections of Maori entertainment available on the market. For reasons not known to the public, the ten inch size is no longer in favour with record companies and because of a continuing demand Kiwi have re-issued Memories of Maoriland in twelve inch form and added an extra three songs. (The price has also increased from 25/- for the ten inch version to £2 for the twelve inch). Te Pataka were formed in 1957 by Anania te Amohau and others as a semi-professional group to cater for the need to provide good Maori entertainment for visiting tourists to Wellington. They have continued in this role to the present and have also made several trips to Australia as part of sponsored tourist promotion drives. The group are somewhat unusual in that they seldom perform in the presence of their fellow New Zealanders and never appear at competitions and other occasions when Maoridom foregathers. For this reason the record provides a rare opportunity to hear and to assess the worth of this small but talented group. As mentioned above the disc is good value because it provides a wide selection of items ranging through traditional welcome, chant, action song, ancient and modern poi, haka taparahi and choral and solo items. These are introduced by concise but adequate cover notes. As is often the case with a small group in which everyone pulls their weight, the result is more impressive than that produced by a large party with passengers. Wisely no attempt has been made to capture an actual performance and the studio presentation has a clarity and fidelity which shows the group to best advantage. In addition to group items there are some fine solos and a charming bracket of songs of love and greeting by a smaller party.