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Reviewed by Aabir Mazumdar

Ray Bishop: Music For Life

Reviewed by Aabir Mazumdar

Ray Bishop: Music For Life

Hamilton-born musician, performer and songwriter Ray Bishop has released this mainstream reggae-rooted pop/urban album through Waatea Music. Bishop has had a diverse career driven by passion and inspiration. With ‘Music For Life’, Ray shows us that he has recently turned his gaze towards a number of new messages. The energetic single and leading track of the album, Te Reo Tuatahi, reminds us that te reo Māori is Aotearoa’s first language and that it is to be treasured. The digitally released album features a number of upbeat and driving classic reggae tracks such as Wahine Ataahua and E Tama as well as more pop and electronica influenced reggae crossovers such as Whanau and Tihei Mauri Ora. Wairua is a multi-lingual dance track written for its potential appeal in mainstream market. Ray has also included a more down-to-earth, singer-songwriter composition Te Pu. Produced in tandem by William Henderson and Tere Ngaeruaiti at Auckland’s Woodcut Studios, many of these tracks carry positive, inspirational messages relating to women’s rights and fatherhood.