South Pacific Islands

Putumayo Presents (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B00063MC0W
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,637 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Iuliana (Tokelau/Samoa/New Zealand) - Te Vaka

2. Mana Ma'Ohi (Rapa Nui/Easter Island) - Matato'a

3. Sei Ma Le Losa (Tokelau/Samoa/New Zealand) - Te Vaka

4. Abebe (Papua New Guinea) - Telek

5. Haloa Olohega (Tokelau/Samoa/New Zealand) - Te Vaka

6. Nengone Nodegu (New Caledonia) - OK! Ryos

7. Whine Whakairo (New Zealand) - Whirimako Black

8. Nukukehe (Tokelau/Samoa/New Zealand) - Te Vaka

9. Siasi (Papua New Guinea) - O-Shen

10. Co Era So (New Caledonia) - OK! Ryos

11. Watolea (New Caledonia) - Gurejele

Editorial Reviews

Blessed with stunning natural beauty and unique cultures, the islands of the South Pacific have long symbolized paradise on Earth to outsiders. Of course, life is more complicated than travel brochures and Gauguin paintings would lead one to believe. The people of the South Pacific, like elsewhere, struggle with the impact of modernization and are fighting to revitalize and redefine their traditions before they disappear.

Both Telek and O-shen come from Papua New Guinea, a tropical archipelago of dense rainforests and active volcanoes. Telek combines ancient Tolai traditions and contemporary Western music without compromising his native culture. O-shen, the son of American missionaries who was raised in a remote Papuan village, fuses traditional Pacific music with hip-hop and reggae.

OK! Ryos and Gurejele are leading figures in New Caledonia’s Kaneka movement, a unique music that blends local polyphonic singing styles and traditional rhythms of the Kanak culture with pop and world beat flavors.

Te Vaka, a New Zealand-based band with members from across Oceania, is creating a pan-Pacific pop music that incorporates elements from a variety of cultures into an appealing fusion. Fellow New Zealander Whirimako Black endeavors to bring Maori music, culture, and language to a broader audience.

Finally, from far-off Rapa Nui, better known as Easter Island, comes Matato’a. Their native language is now spoken by less than 3000 people and is blended here with an upbeat, cross-cultural mix of music.

This enhanced CD features an OK! Ryos music video filmed on the picturesque beaches of New Caledonia, as well as informative liner notes in English, Spanish, and French, striking Lonely Planet photographs and the recipe of a traditional South Pacific dish.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, March 23, 2005

By 

E. Laway "Lady E" (Temecula, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: South Pacific Islands (Audio CD)

This is probably one of the best Putumayo compilitions I have come across. The musicians are from differents islands but there seem to be a cohesion that you can sense and that is the beautifully woven melodies in the songs. I like all the artists and their songs, but I think the band Te Vaka is a stand up. The way they incorporated rhythm and melody back up with folksy, soft rock splash with island breeze is such a treat to listen to. I also like Whirimako Black. Wow! she has such a light, jazzy voice, just gorgeous to listen to. I will attempt to hunt down one of her CD's. So folks, if you're a Putumayo fan, this is difinite in your collection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS! BUY THIS NOW!, January 9, 2005

By 

traveler "traveler" (LaPorte, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: South Pacific Islands (Audio CD)

This is hands down my favorite Putumayo c.d. Coupled with their "Islands" c.d.this is all the authentic island music you will need. The selections are all excellent, no filler or anything to "out there". In the middle of a midwestern winter; this is just what you need!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Upbeat and unexpected..., February 8, 2007

By 

kaycita (SF Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: South Pacific Islands (Audio CD)

This is one of those albums that just makes you happy. We have quite a few Putumayo collections and like all of them, but most of them have at least one song we could skip. Not this one. Every single track makes me smile. Enjoy!