Pacific Underground

Media Release

Wed 1 July

South IslandRoots Reggae celebrated

Pacific Roots South a celebration of local reggae bands as well as special guests from Dunedin – ‘Koile,  kicks off an annual event of summer

sounds in the winter, presented by Pacific Underground.  Held next Saturday 11 July at the Bedford, Pacific Roots South also launches with a long awaited return of old school, R&B, Hip Hop and Soul DJ’s Ali & Soul Master Cee. 

‘Koile who are regular participants of the annual Pacific Arts Festival here in Christchurch last appeared at The Bedford’s first gig in February this year, supporting legendary NZ icons of Reggae – Herbs.  Their energetic sound of the Cook Island, Tokelauan and Samoan laced with log drums, congas and ukulele brought a true island flavour to the venue, a sound that will be delivered once again at Pacific Roots South. 

Soul Master Cee aka Chris Muagututi’a, is considered amongst the DJ culture of as bringing beat mixing to Christchurch in the late 1980’s, although back then, he had come out of retirement after a 5 year stint working in Sydney’s notorious King’s Cross club ‘The Persian Room’.  Moving back to Christchurch in 1988 he gained a regular weekend spot at Romanovs Niteclub, before moving to the infamous Daniel’s Niteclub.  At the same time Soul Master Cee was one of the earliest competitors in the DMC champs in 1989 and 1990, his best placing being second.  Retiring for the second time in 1993 Chris Muagututi’a focussed on his other passion – sport, in particular Touch Rugby.

At Pacific Roots South Soul Master Cee will revisit his old mixes of music that blend NZ roots music from Herbs to Ardijah with classic R&B, Hip Hop and soul dance hits from Earth Wind and Fire to Michael Jackson, from Eric B. & Rakim to Soul to Soul.

DJ Ali aka Alistair Toto – who started performing with Hip Hop collective Beats & Pieces in 1997 – also the starting collective for Scribe & Rhombus’s Antsman and DJ Pause, played alongside Scribe as his career began with Dirty Records, and also with other Hip Hop artists, such as Dei Hamo, and recently Star City.  Respected around the country amongst the NZ Hip Hop community Ali will play a late set from midnight at Pacific Roots South

Local bands Niu Sei LAH and D’sendantz who play regularly at Tru Bar and Lordships respectively have built a steady following of local supporters.  Both have also played at the annual Pacific Arts Festival with D’sendantz recently played at the Alpha FM radio launch and during NZ Music Months concert in the square.  Vela are local veterans in the music scene, John Luafutu and Clay Paviel, between the two they have played in many bands and for Pacific Roots South they bring their unique Pasifika blues sound that has taken them to Auckland’s Pasifika Festival for the past two years. 

Pacific Underground look to host this gig on a regular basis to support gigging bands from Christchurch and the rest of the South Island, and featuring established artists from here and all over New Zealand and the Pacific.

 ENDS

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