Twigs of Gold is a very quirky album with an array of brass, bass (deep man), reggae, jazz and space invader type sounds thrown in.
The album kicks off with a song called Berlin, which sounds very much like a Kiwi styled James Bond movie theme song. Don't let that put you off, it's a good thing.
The tempo changes occur when you least expect them which is a welcome change, and a mixture of rapping and beautiful singing ensures your attention doesn't waiver.
The Mamaku Project certainly aren't as heavy as bands such as The Black Seeds, however there are similarities of course with the semi-dub genre.
The harmonies in Angel in Gumboots are perfect and the lyrics are awesome. In fact overall the production / mix is brilliant and a credit to the entire team.
However I would have liked to have heard a little more kick ass in certain songs; Rain for example. It just feels like it wants to explode but never does. Just my preference of direction I wanted the songs to go I suppose.
The mix of cultures and languages is brilliant and Taonga is one of my favourite examples of this on the album. Very upbeat, offbeat and has a happy feel.
Highly recommended for fans of the genre.
Mamaku is born from the meeting of two French-New Zealander artists in 2004 at the Errobiko Festival in the Basque Country (France). Tui Mamaki, evocative multi-lingual voice, calls on Monsieur E., Parisian musician and NZ expat. This experience starts a desire, sketches and a sound aesthetic…
In 2006, they co-produce their first LP Karekare which received critical acclaim and sales of +3000 in NZ. A concoction weaving French quirkiness, GypsyPacifica and scents of fine ElectroOriental-Jazz. Created in the breathtaking wilderness of West-coast Aotearoa, this one-of-a-kind poetry rides infectious earthy grooves with a sprinkling of circus…
2010 saw further touring in NZ and abroad, including, Gwangju World Music Festival (Korea) and Europe (France, Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Belgium).