PACIFIC UNDERGROUND releases Island Summer CD
In time for the coming summer Pacific Underground serves up their new CD Island Summer for release on Saturday 6
November in Christchurch, at Nga Hau E Wha National Marae in Aranui.
Named after the live show, musical director and producer Pos Mavaega has recorded music that combines the flavours of
the warm tropics with soul and nostalgia in the superbly crafted original songs and traditional music of Samoa.
Excellent reviews of the live show has praised the music as it “evokes the smells and sounds of Samoa”, being “luscious
and melodious”, and also that the Island Summer concept “succeeds magnificantly”.
The moving tribute to his parents who brought with them their traditional music and customs, included a 30 piece guitar
orchestra and band.
“Whether you’ve been to the islands or not, the music will take you there.” Says Mavaega.
Island Summer CD captures the frontline musicians with Pos who are: - Tanya Muagututi’a singer/ songwriter, Andrew Sione
(Tribalincs) and Hemi Lesatele on second and third guitars; Seta Timo (LA Mitchell’s Nativa Band) on bass guitar and
Chris Searle, PU’s resident drummer – all who have grown with the show since its beginning in 2005.
The completion of the project has continued throughout Christchurch’s earthquake.
“Finishing the recording has been a challenge all on its own – the last recording sessions have taken place in
Christchurch, Dunedin and as far away as Las Vegas. Andrew who is the ‘wing-man’ was on tour with a band in the US, so
had to do it there. Once we got his parts, the earthquake happened and we were finishing off sessions throughout the
aftershocks” says Pos Mavaega
The celebration at the Marae is free to attend, will have a live performance of some of the songs and copies of the CD
will be available for purchase on the night.
The long awaited sophomore album of Pacific Underground is also the second for Pos as producer / musician – the first
being the ground-breaking CD ‘Landmark’ in 1999, a compilation album that has the very first recordings of Scribe, the
Naked Samoan’s and Christchurch Hip Hop pioneers Beats ‘n’ Pieces.
ENDS