Goldsmith Baynes - Single/Video Review: Hei Kawe i a Au
Allana Goldsmith and Mark Baynes have worked together for a decade and form the creative heart of Goldsmith Baynes. They both have extensive experience in the international and local worlds of Jazz and have brought considerable skills and knowledge to this single Hei Kawe i a Au which is from their upcoming debut album E Rere Ra.
Right from the beginning there is established a musical context of jazz that is impeccably played and sung. The melodic work of Goldsmith, Baynes' piano textures, and a sensitive, musically expressive rhythm section consisting of Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa (drums) and Tom Dennison (Bass) are everything you could expect of a down- tempo jazz song. Added to that is the highly effective way Riki Bennett adds the element of Taonga Puoro- perfectly placed in the music in a way that subtly echoes Goldsmith's vocal through the instrumental passages. It's a gentle touch, and it adds a wonderfully expressive layer to the piece overall.
Goldsmith explains ‘The title, Hei Kawe i a Au is taken from the whakatauki "Ma te pakihiroahei kawe i a ahau”" If that equates to the theme, then the piece develops those words and concepts in a way that correlates to a Jazz approach of musical and poetic extemporisation on the theme of being ‘carried away by the easterly breeze’- which is an approximate translation in English. Goldsmith delivers a compelling and evocative vocal throughout that evokes this idea almost programmatically, and Baynes' piano work is both sensitive to the vocals and evocative in its own right.
The video itself is intelligently and evocatively shot at Te Henga, a beach on the west coast of New Zealand by Shivani Karan. In an unusual circumstance for a contemporary music video, Karan accurately captures the essence of the song in the visual interpretation- it's extremely effective as musical imagery.
Hei Kawe i a Au is an ambitious piece, delivered with style and a compelling musical assurance.
About Goldsmith Baynes
Goldsmith Baynes have performed at renowned festivals including the Waiheke Jazz Festival and Tauranga International Jazz Festival, and have been programmed for the 2022 Auckland Arts Festival. They also were invited to perform at the recent Aotearoa Music Awards 2021.
An exciting new project created by the renowned jazz artists Allana Goldsmith and Mark Baynes with vocals containing a beautiful mix of Maori and English language, their debut single Tipuna was released last year and featured on the Waiata Anthems 2021 compilation. A wonderful collaboration between two modern favourites of the jazz world, Goldsmith's soulful jazz vocal combines with British pianist Baynes' contemporary jazz stylings to produce this truly uplifting and remarkable record.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Goldsmith Baynes
Releases
Other Reviews By Trevor Faville
Tom Irvine Band - Album Review: Under The Wharf
19 Nov 2024 // by Trevor Faville
Tom Irvine has a very healthy CV, working guitar duties with the likes of Hopetoun Brown, The Mercenaries and the Fleetwoods. For this album, his first, he has assembled a tight and cohesive ensemble with a rhythm section of Neill McCulloch (drums), Matt Shanks (bass).
Read More...
Pining Radiata - EP Review: Skin
27 Sep 2024 // by Trevor Faville
These days it's not unusual to see, and indeed expect, a high level of songwriting craft and instrumental skill from younger or less experienced bands. Debut recordings now tend to be polished and well-crafted affairs.
Read More...
Luna Shadows - Album Review: bathwater
19 Jun 2024 // by Trevor Faville
Luna Shadows' new album bathwater arrives on the back of considerable momentum from their previous work. Currently based in Los Angeles, since releasing the single Hallelujah California in 2016, Luna Shadows has garnered considerable attention, some serious press and impressive listening numbers.
Read More...
Elmo Strauss - Album Review: In My Sleep
08 Dec 2023 // by Trevor Faville
Elmo Strauss began writing, recording and producing music in the format he describes as a ‘One Man Band’ since 2021, with the release of debut album Light and Dark. In My Sleep is his latest collection and is a logical follow on from the first album, in terms of the sound and the process.
Read More...
The Fuzzies - Album Review: Cupid
15 Nov 2023 // by Trevor Faville
The Fuzzies are a three-piece self-described ‘Alternative pop trio’ from Auckland. Collectively Niki Maera (Mary), Kelly Michael (Tabula Rasa, Enshrine) and Andrew Maitai (Powertool Records, Joed Out) bring the momentum of considerable experience into the music on this album.
Read More...
Claudia Robin Gunn - Album Review: Firefly
02 Oct 2023 // by Trevor Faville
Working in music education gives some insight into what challenging area that Children’s Music can be. The first essential consideration is simply coming to terms with the makeup of the audience, and knowing that children, whanau, and teachers are combined into particularly unique ‘demographic’.
Read More...
Hummucide - Album Review: Tides
18 Aug 2023 // by Trevor Faville
Hummucide are a well established group of musicians originally based in Wellington (although now working round the world) “Heavy Jazz” is the way they describe their sound, and that's an accurate phrase- and a rather nifty one, too. Tides is the group's first full length album release and it's the result of an extensive and extended process of crafting and refining.
Read More...
Tone6 - Single Review: Close Your Eyes
05 Jul 2023 // by Trevor Faville
Tone6 are a vocal group from Auckland, consisting of Kirita Leavasa , Selevasio Tu'ima, Peachez Vetenibua, Seletute Tu'ima, Viliami Tupa'i and Shaelyn Togafiti , who began working together when attending Saintzup Performing Arts School. The collective experience and ability of these singers belies their youth, and while Close Your Eyes is just their second release, it's a powerful and assured musical statement.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
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
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
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 Problem
