Star of the record is Teata Makirere, a very pleasant light tenor who sings two solos ‘Koe, koe, koe’ (You. you, you—the well known pop song) and ‘Come Back to Rarotonga’. If Teata was in New Zealand he could soon be a rave on the local pop scene I would think, judging from what I hear on this record. There is one female solo and two duets, one featuring Teata Makirere again. There is also an instrumental item and a drum dance and the remainder are group singing. The items are full of vitality and because of the different artists used provide plenty of variety. It is interesting to compare the music with New Zealand Maori music. The Cook music is much less sophisticated and shows less European influence. As an introduction and welcome to Rarotonga this record is very agreeable.

AN EVENING IN THE ELLICE ISLANDS Salem XP 5033 33 ½ 12in L.P. This is an example of Salem enterprise in bringing to us the sounds of Polynesia. It comes from tiny Funafuti, a small coral atoll which is the chief island of the Ellice group and its centre of administration. The disc was recorded out of doors during a festival evening. The music is fresh, unsophisticated and perhaps a little difficult in its entirety for the average European to appreciate and enjoy. As the first commercial recording of Ellice Island music of the traditional variety and largely untainted by outside influence it has, however, a definite place in the library of all who collect and take an interest in Polynesian music. Traditional Ellice music as heard on this record is accompanied only by the percussion of log drums, clapping, floor thumping and the like. As in most of the islands the four gallon kerosene can is a popular secondary accompaniment. There are also several tracks by a small group who are accompanied by guitar and ukalele. They represent the move by the younger people towards the European pop world. The record cover gives a thumbnail sketch of the locale of the recording and talks engagingly of the ‘creeping tide of civilisation’ and ‘western culture with all its evil by products’. Unfortunately the actual items are only named Their significance and content is not discussed and this robs the record of a certain amount of its undoubted value.

Superb new recordings from KIWI:

POI AND PIUPIU Queen Victoria School Maoritanga Choir, with guest soloist Hannah Tatana, present Poi Songs, Canoe Songs, Choral Items, Action Songs, and Chants. A cultural treat. SLC-63 12-inch long play.

NGA REO O MOKOIA “The Voices of Mokoia”, a group of singers directly descended from the famous lovers Hinemoa and Tutanekai, with a selection of songs of Rotorua and Mokoia Island. SLC-59 12-inch long play.

TAKU TOA Wellington Anglican Maori Club in a fascinating pattern of Maori Choral Songs, Chants and Spirituals, including several beautiful new songs. Some of the finest Maori choral singing ever recorded. SLC-50 12-inch long play.

COME, HEAR OUR SONGS Turakina Maori Girls' College Concert Party extend a tuneful invitation to enjoy their Pois, Action Songs, Chants and Love Songs. A delightful garland of song presented with precision and appeal by fresh, young voices. EA-141 7-inch extended play. All these records are compatible stereo suitable for all types of record players. KIWI RECORDS — The Music, Voices and Sounds of New Zealand, are produced and distributed by A. H. and A. W. Reed, 182 Wakefield Street, Wellington. Also at Auckland and Sydney.