Wai

New Zealand duo Wai – which means ´water´ in Maori – are comprised of real life partners Mina Ripia and Maaka McGregor. Mina takes care of the vocals while Maaka takes the role of studio magician, blending rhythms and pulses from traditional Maori sources such as the sounds of poi (a Maori percussion instrument) and body slaps reminiscent of the haka along with modern styles such as electronica, rock and pop.

Mina´s music career goes back a long way, to her role as founding member of influential NZ band Moana and the Moa Hunters, led by Moana Maniapoto (the diva of Maori music). Mina sang backing vocals for the band from 1985 but though she sang in English, for Wai she made a decision to sing completely in Maori - a move she says was inspired both by the death of her father and her desire to introduce her culture to audiences around the world.

On their debut album, Wai 100%, the lush textures of Maaka´s soundscapes merge with Mina´s voice to create a unique fusion of traditional culture and global influences. Organic natural beats and rhythms sculpted from human breaths, insect and bird sounds, acoustic drums: koauau, pumoana and purerehua are layered with Mina´s voice and the additional vocals of guests. The songs are loosely based on traditional forms culled from before and after the first influence of Pakeha (non-Maori) music, and lyrically cover everything from Maori history, personal messages to loved ones to anti-smoking messages (Maori people, especially Maori women, apparently have one of the highest rates of tobacco addiction in the world).

One of the first ever internationally released albums sung entirely in Maori, Wai 100% underlines the percussive and expressive power of the Maori language, as well as highlighting its continuing relevance and evolution by placing it in a modern musical context. -- Paul Sullivan