5 Nov 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Tiki Taane - With Strings Attached Album Review

10 Mar 2014 // A review by Dilemma

On November 3 2012, Tiki Taane, his whanau and friends came together in Old St Paul's Church in Wellington to record and film the live album With Strings Attached (Alive & Orchestrated) which was released just in time for the end of those long hot summer days and breezy nights.

With the help of NZ On Air and TVNZ crew, they were able to capture the power of Tiki who arranged a musically stunning collaboration with backing from The Dub Soldiers, kapahaka group Te Pou O Mangatawhiri and a string orchestra to add depth to a soulful performance. The 18 orchestral musicians are all members of the NZ Symphony Orchestra to add a layer of sophistication to all our old Tiki Taane Favourites.

The orchestrated versions of Always On My Mind and Love Your Ways, which he wrote with band Salmonella Dub are classics that lose nothing with this new interpretation. Summertime featuring MC Tali is on the album along with an opening karakia from Tiki’s father Uekaha Taane Tinorau, not to mention so many other talented musicians including Shapeshifter’s PDigsss, Sambora, Nicky and Reno, Jason Johnston (Jakob), and magnificent vocalist Ria Hall. So many compoents on this album have beauty in their own right, but Tiki has managed to bring them all together on a bigger scale and the outcome is nothing short of spectacular. Throw in a cheeky sense of humour and you have an album that is hard to fault for what it was created to be.

An expansion into new musical stylings also adds a certain comfort with trying new things, Tiki has written a song called Starship Lullaby, his son Charlie that he added to the album. It also features mystical tracks like Tangaroa, Whakakotahi, for listeners to connect with the origin of Tiki’s love of music. Nana's Song if like that too,  it “is an adaptation of Past Present Future, and it's an important song for my whanau - my aunty passed away last year, and my sister played that song to her over and over as she passed on, and I can imagine doing something like that with my Dad as well, and maybe for me when it's my time to move on. But it's also for everyone, it's an opportunity to think about those important people in your life." Freedom To Sing is another song that is an expression of freedom of speech which was written after Taane was arrested in 2011 for singing NWA's F**k The Police at a Tauranga concert, and charged with "disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence". “I'm so proud of this project and excited to release it for you all to hear,” says Tiki. “I hope you enjoy this album as much as we did making it." 

 

 

About Tiki Taane

Tiki Taane was born in Otautahi or Christchurch on 17 December 1976. His father Uekaha is of Ngati Maniapoto descent, while his mother Lyn is of English and Scottish heritage – the McDuff clan. The third child of 4, Tiki was preceded by 2 sisters – Maureen Aroha, Ninakaye and then followed by his baby brother Anaru Kune, from Ngati Kahungunu and Taranaki.

Raised most of his life in Otautahi, Tiki spent his school years at Heathcote Valley School, Shirley Boys’ College and then changed to Linwood High School in his 4th Form year. Soon losing interest in his school education, Tiki began spending time on the streets, getting up to mischief and having many close calls with the law. In the early 90’s, at a crucial time where Tiki was considering some very downward-spiralling pathways, his father Uekaha gave him a classical acoustic guitar. To this day, that guitar can be seen as the vehicle through which Tiki’s life took on a powerful new purpose.

Tiki’s new guitar never left his side as he taught himself to play – listening to and then mimicking riffs and chords from the likes of Metallica, Megadeth and others. It wasn’t long before he was composing his own guitar tracks, lyrics, bass guitar and drum tracks too. Fronting his first band Cultivation at the age of 15, Tiki was joined by drummer Richard Dale, bass guitarist Mike and guitarist and backing vocalist Jason Young (of Future Stupid, Loves Ugly Children and Excellent Soul Therapy fame).

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Tiki Taane

Releases

Now This Is It
Year: ????
Type: EP
Our Favourite Target
Year: ????
Type: EP
In The World Of Light
Year: 2011
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
Flux
Year: 2009
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
Tangaroa God Of The Sea
Year: 2007
Type: EP
Past, Present, Future
Year: 2007
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape

Other Reviews By Dilemma

Janine and the Mixtape - EP Review: XX
22 Jun 2015 // by Dilemma
2013 was a big year, Lorde released her first EP but she wasn’t our only Singer/Songwriter that got international acclaim that year, there was also Janine Foster otherwise known as Janine and The Mixtape. Described as an electrifying performer that has developed her own unique combination of pop, indie, R&B, and hip hop.
Read More...
Tali - Album Review: Wolves
28 May 2015 // by Dilemma
Tali AKA Natalia Sheppard is pretty impressive, she paired up with Roni Size to release Lyric on my Lip which smashed the charts in 2002, became the first female MC to release an album in 2004 over 10 years ago. She has won the Best Female DNB MC award a few times (3) and has just released her new album Wolves, which she describes as “electronic soul and gangsta jazz"!
Read More...
Khemikal - Justice EP Review
06 Nov 2014 // by Dilemma
Silos feat. Nel Amore have released their debut EP Justice, 5 tracks with thumping base lines, some repetitive hooks and a brit-chick that raps and sings.
Read More...
Emily Edrosa EP Review
05 Nov 2014 // by Dilemma
Emily Edrosa is Emily Littler, member of Street Chant – an Auckland trio that has played since 2007 and won the inaugural Critics Choice at the 2010 NZ Music Awards. Emily however, has been putting out some new solo stuff as Emily Edrosa, which is the second effort after Body/Christ released in 2013.
Read More...
PNC - The Codes Album Review
24 Jul 2014 // by Dilemma
PNC AKA Sam Hansen released his fifth album less than a month ago and it’s already smashing sales and tearing up the NZ charts. The album titled The Codes is our newest urban success and it seems that PNC has found his stride with his latest offering.
Read More...
Jayson Norris - Save My Soul EP Review
16 May 2014 // by Dilemma
New from Jayson Norris is the Save My Soul EP as part of NZ Music Month. If you are a fan of Kora style rock or Tiki Taane melodies then you will love this five-song EP, cleverly incorporating roots and the groove of mainstream guitar rock’n’soul to blur genres.
Read More...
Estère - Estere Album Review
10 May 2014 // by Dilemma
Released as a free download via Bandcamp the debut EP from Wellington singer/songwriter/beatmaker/producer Estere is definitely unique in the NZ music scene. Self-described as “just a girl with an MPC” Estere works her equipment and the product is individualistic, raw and worthy of a listen this NZ Music Month.
Read More...
Ill Semantics - You Got It Feat. Scribe and K.One Single Review
09 May 2014 // by Dilemma
The Ill Semantic’s are back for 2014 and while it's been over 20 years since they formed they still have the ability to make really good, current hip hop music. Ill Semantics are getting ready to drop their third album and have delivered the first single titled You Got It feat.
Read More...
View All Articles By Dilemma

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem