‘Waiata Of Bob Marley’ VOLUME 2 - RUIA

MEDIA RELEASE – Wednesday, November 27, 2002
‘Waiata Of Bob Marley’ VOLUME 2
RUIA
CD ALBUM (MMDC110)

Tui Award winner Hareruia ‘Ruia’ Aperahama is launching his second tribute album to reggae’s most influential musician, Bob Marley.

‘Waiata of Bob Marley – Volume 2’ is a 10-track album featuring a hit selection of Marley tunes performed entirely in the Mäori language by the composer and performing artist from Ratana Pä.

Ruia, who also plays acoustic guitar and saxophone, is joined by Aotearoa’s own version of the I-Threes – Stephanie Pohe, Vivienne Merito and Erina Aperahama – who provide the subtle harmonies and backing vocals.

A series of nationwide concerts promoting the album will culminate in a performance on Waitangi Day 2003 (Marley’s birthday).

Ruia says there was no hesitation in initiating a second album after the positive impact among Mäori and mainstream audiences to the 2001 release of ‘Waiata of Bob Marley - Volume 1’.

The record won the New Zealand Music Industry’s coveted Tui Award for best Mäori language album and is testament to the impact Marley and the Wailers had in the Pacific.

“Bob Marley's music in te reo Mäori is a way of striking up interest and providing a focal point for our people who vary in Mäori speaking abilities to embrace something they already have embraced," Ruia says.

"But this time with Mäori language imbued in the lyrics, poetical licence and nuances of Bob Marley’s Jamaican patois, and, of course, his unforgettable tunes.”

The Auckland-based musician maintains the ‘wairua’ (spirit) of the original recordings, his fluency and personal respect for Bob Marley’s music enabling the translations to be phrased perfectly to the original melodies whilst ensuring the messages remain the same.

Songs like 'Waiting In Vain’ (Koingo Atu Nei Kia Koe) and ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low’ (Monehu Rawa E) retain the lullaby nature of the originals, whilst ‘Lively Up Yourself’ (Tihei Mauri Ora) and ‘Iron Lion Zion’ (Maia, Ae Ra, Kua Ea) rocket along in true funky reggae party style.

”It’s another way of giving value to our language, especially for our tamariki (children) to see that Mäori is not just the language we use at school but that it can be the language of choice in other situations," Ruia says.

"By producing such albums, we’re encouraging the viewpoint that te reo Mäori is very much a living language outside of schools, institutes and marae-focused activities.

"Bob Marley’s music has always been a strong favourite amongst Mäori people and informal situations like sports, entertainment, socialising, and having fun and good times is usually associated and synonymous with music”.”

Production was again overseen by Simon Lynch (ex-Ardijah, D-Faction), currently in-house producer at one of New Zealand’s most respected production facilities, Stebbings Recording Centre. Ruia says he thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work in a high quality studio and with a seasoned professional such as Simon.

“I’m hoping that this album will inspire people to explore and develop further, or to go and take up learning the Mäori language. With the experiences and background that i've had, it’s interesting to be able to successfully role model te reo Mäori in the New Zealand music industry.”

Mäorimusic.com is a company specialising in distributing Mäori recordings. A number of key arrangements with Mäori-owned and focused record companies as well as major labels and independent production companies means the most extensive catalogue of Mäori music is now available on the internet.

ENDS

Ruia Aperahama is available for interviews in Auckland on Wednesday, November 27, 2002. For more information, contact Mai Media communications manager Vanessa Bidois on 029 9777 838 or e-mail vanessab@maifm.co.nz.

ARTIST PROFILE
RUIA

Hareruia ‘Ruia’ Aperahama is a Mäori composer and recording artist hailing from Ratana Pa, a small community in the central North Island of New Zealand and home of the Ratana Church and movement. Ruia’s brand of music is reggae/world crossover and is self-described as ‘maramatanga’ music. He sings in a Mäori/English bilingual mix and is a native speaker of the Mäori language.

Ruia is a songwriter adept on a variety of musical instruments - saxophone, keyboards, guitar and drums – as well as a superb and passionate vocalist. This extraordinary musical flexibility provides a distinct advantage when it comes to writing catchy choruses and melodies, yet Ruia’s inspiration is still drawn from a traditional cultural base.
His participation in the Ratana church brass band and choir as well as various contemporary bands and involvement in kapa haka during his formative years have given him a unique ability to cross musical boundaries with ease.

Ruia has written, recorded and released waiata as lead vocalist and composer with groups such as Southside of Bombay, penning the top five hit ‘What’s the Time Mr Wolf’ which achieved gold sales status. Ruia has also composed and performed for Moana and the Moahunters on 'Tahi' and 'Rua', and the upcoming ‘Toru’ albums.

Ruia is a leading instigator of the ‘Prophecy’ music project, showcased at WOMADelaide, WOMAD Aotearoa, 2000 Olympic Festival of the Dreaming in Sydney, and the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. It is set to be represented in Europe in 2003.

Ruia and brother Ranea released the Te Mangai Paho-funded album ‘Whare Mäori’ in late 2000, where both contributed five compositions each, and which became a finalist in the New Zealand Music Industry’s Tui Awards.

A second album, ‘Waiata of Bob Marley ‘Volume 1’, released in 2001, again had the Aperahama brothers sharing vocal duties, covering a selection of Bob Marley’s songs sung completely in Maori. This won them the coveted Tui award for Best Maori Language album.

Ruia has recently been given honorary status of the Toi Iho cultural quality assurance mark by Creative New Zealand/Te Waka Toi. He is also actively involved in other creative endeavours such as translating for an animation television series, lending his drawing talents in a regular Maori language youth magazine for New Zealand schools, and teaching music part time at Te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi in West Auckland.

Pre-production has started on his debut solo album ‘Nehe-nehe-nui’ which will be released mid-2003 and he is set to embark on a European tour guesting with Moana and the Tribe in July.

RETAIL RELEASE – December 2002
‘WAIATA OF BOB MARLEY’ VOLUME 2
RUIA
CD ALBUM (MMDC110)

Album Tracklist

1. Peruperu Tupara / Buffalo Soldier

2. Tihei Mauri Ora / Lively Up Yourself

3. Maia, Ae Ra, Kua Ea / Iron Lion Zion

4. Te Pu, Te Weu, Te More / Roots Rock Reggae

5. Koingo Atu Nei Kia Koe / Waiting in Vain

6. Kairau Te Tinana / Pimpers Paradise

7. Monehu Rawa E / Turn Your Lights Down Low

8. Tihei / Jah live

9. Tuki Tahi / One Drop

10. He Wai Apakura / Redemption Song

Media Manager:
MAI MEDIA LTD
Vanessa Bidois
Tel: (029) 9777 838
Fax: (09) 9777 801
Email: vanessab@maifm.co.nz

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