FIJI POLICE BAND — PACIFIC BRASS AND VOICES Hibiscus HLS—18, 12 in. 33 ⅓ LP

Te Ao Hou, 1971, Page 63

FIJI POLICE BAND — PACIFIC BRASS AND VOICES Hibiscus HLS—18, 12 in. 33 ⅓ LP Having seen and heard this band a number of times in its native habitat, I found difficulty in putting nostalgia aside and concentrating on criticism. As the cover blurb says, this is a band to be seen, heard and recalled with nostalgia and pleasure. The band is certainly versatile. In addition to its conventional playing and marching activities, it provides a choral group from within the band to sing international and Fijian songs and a dance group for traditional Fijian items. It has also distinguished itself by several years ago accompanying a complete performance of Handel's Messiah, no mean musical feat. In an age when many bands never seem happier than when they are playing transscriptions of piano concertos, symphonies or other music entirely unsuited to brass, the Fiji Police Band has wisely confined itself on this record to bright music which suits the dash and flair of brass instruments. The items in which the band combines singing and playing are particularly attractive. They include Kirisimasi, Happy Wanderer and Fijiana a bouncy round-up of well-loved tunes such as Kisi Mai Chuluchululu and Isa Lei. Unfortunately in some items the cornet playing is not good. It is very mushy in Southdown U.S.A. In O Mein Papa (and I suspect the fault is as much in the recording of the item as anything) the band's tone is lacking in substance and there is an almost complete absence of light and shade. The cover notes contain scads about the band but regrettably nothing about the items. Kiwi (the parent label) should know better with their well-deserved reputation for excellent presentation of their Maori records. For example, Tso Boi sounds catchy and interesting (if a little long) but what is it all about? One suspects that it is not of Fijian origin at all but brought by the Bandmaster, Superintendent James Hempstead, from Africa where he was Director of Music for the Gold Coast, and later for the Nigerian Police Forces. The band mercifully eschews concluding its record with Isa Lei — a practice which is almost de regeur with most groups recording Fijian music. Instead we have a brisk (almost too brisk, but the effect is pleasing) version of Aloha Oe with the chorus sung in Fijian and English.