Narasirato - Warato'o

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 25 / 7 / 2012

Label: Cadiz Music
Format: CD

Magical and exotic album from Solomon Islands-based Are'are traditional musicians, Narasirato

Review

Subtitled 'The Sound of the Solomon Islands' and thus hinting at a Pacific Ocean sound, this comes as a lovely exotic surprise. The predominant flute instrument of some 20 pan pipes is accompanied by banging drums and what in the accompanying press release is mentioned as the giant bamboo thong-o-phone, which is a bass instrument. Vaguely reminiscent of the music of Madagascar, 'Warato'o' is a magical experience. On each track, a peaceful breeze blows through your ears. Mind you, the music has an upbeat excitement in its sound with its chants in praise of nature and tradition. Narasirato hail from one of the least spoilt parts in the world, in which people live happily without running water or electricity. The absence of electric instruments show that big dance music can be performed with the aid of acoustic instruments. You may suddenly hear a rhythm pattern similar to dubstep for example. The few flaws sound ever so pure and honest, like the chanting, which is very much out of tune at first, and then rapidly changes to cat-like crooning on 'Painaha Ni Are'Are' - Are'Are being their native tongue. Narasirato are not of this world. No attention seeking sensationalism, no motorway compensation type of music production - most popular music these days aims at car drivers. They are a magical experience.

Track Listing:-

1 Mato
2 Warato'o
3 Pasi Tahisi Nanau
4 Rawako
5 Hariharina
6 Horoa Warita
7 Totoraha
8 Sisimaito
9 Roromera
10 Mane Paina
11 Painaha Ni Are'are
12 Wara Hora'a
13 Naratana Papa
14 Roromera Dub (Manasseh Remix)