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Reviewed by Holly McGeorge

Toni Huata: Kahungunu Maranga EP

Reviewed by Holly McGeorge

Toni Huata: Kahungunu Maranga EP

If you ever get lost, the best advice given to me is to go back to basics and this is where Toni Huata has nailed what is good in music. Sing what you know, blend it in with the right instruments and harmonies, but most importantly, when you sing from your roots your message transcends beyond what you could ever imagine. The warmth of each song lifts any negativity from the air. The title track Kahungunu Maranga is originally credited to have been written by Huata’s grandfather. Odes to tipuna, whanau and iwi. Each song firmly holds the roots of these pillars in the jazz-country-swing styled writing. The EP is different to other albums of Huata’s as she explores tradition in this smaller set as opposed to her often more vast creations. A light refreshing EP that celebrates history and reminds us of how important it is to keep tradition and culture as precious memories and never forget them.