05 Sep 2009 // A review by amandashootsbands
It’s a freezing spring morning in the city of the future, but as I sit here listening to
Black Brown & White, I can feel the first hints of summer shining through. Wrapping its arms around me lovingly with fresh funky beats from one of New Zealand’s most loved and talked about acts,
Tahuna Breaks.
Since starting out in 2005, they’ve come a long way producing the sounds they are so passionate about, with the admirable attitude that ‘anything goes’. Mixing various genres from Reggae to Roots, Funk to Rock n’ Roll, the eight piece are certainly making their mark with their unique sound.
2007 saw the release of their debut album,
Reflections which reached the number three position on the Independent Charts. Following on from this achievement, the band went on to release three music videos which received airplay nationwide, along with picking up a Juice TV music award.
With numerous tours and festivals under their belts, the band has now produced their second album to hit the shelves,
Black Brown & White. It’s an eclectic mix of what they do best and truly screams iconic New Zealand summer...Blue skies, beaches, BBQ’s and jandels.
The first track –
Empower Me sets the scene with fabulous reggae funk that it’s hard not to get in the groove and let that whole sunny day mindset kick in. I’d be very surprised if you didn’t find yourself bobbing your head up and down like one of those dogs in the back of poppa’s car.
Giddy Up is amazing. I’d be lying if I said that anything with ‘giddy up, ride that funky pony’ amongst its lyrics wasn’t a winner in my books, so I’m picking this one as my favourite track on the album. It’s full of dirty funk and reminds me a heck of a lot of Wellington lads,
Odessa. Delightful.
A new sound comes with
Black Brown & White. It’s relaxed and soulful with few lyrics throughout. It shows off the softer side to the band that is an easy listen and the perfect transition leading into
Crisis Situation – a dub / roots based tune really showcasing the bands diversity.
Somebody’s Daughter and
Sophie’s Lullaby are wonderfully simple tracks that again show off the groups many different styles. There aren’t many acts around who can pull this off so well, but for Tahuna Breaks they clearly know and love what they’re doing and it works.
Coming to the end of the disc,
I Can’t Stand It drags you back into the funk which is fully discovered again in
We Funk The Party. Obviously. They’ve really hit the nail on the head with the compilation of this album making sure that every tune fits perfectly in its place and in turn rolled out seamlessly.
If ever there were an album to drive the chill off your bones and get you in the mood for long, hot New Zealand summers it’s
Black Brown & White. After checking it out, I’m keen to see them live – and as luck would have it, they’re touring our shores right now! Yeah!
Amanda Ratcliffe