Tahitian Choir, the / Rapa Iti, #1 [Re-Release]
Album: Rapa Iti, #1 [Re-Release]   Collection:World
Artist:Tahitian Choir, the   Added:Jan 1994
Label:Solitude Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2004-04-19 Pull Date: 2004-06-21 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Jun 13 May 30
Airplays: 1 1

Recent Airplay
1. Dec 07, 2013: Music Casserole
Morotiri Nei
3. Jun 11, 2004: No Cover, No Minimum
Ratou Ki Ota
2. Sep 30, 2004: Sun in Libra, Moon in Pisces
Oparo E Oparo E
4. May 25, 2004: At the Cafe Bohemian
Ratou Ki Ota

Album Review
Fo
Reviewed 2004-04-16
THE TAHITIAN CHOIR – “Rapa Iti”
Soulitude, 1992/2004

This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but adventurous DJs will be rewarded. First released in 1992, this disc features a mammoth choir of 126 voices – one third of the total population of the island of Rapa!!! Their music is truly unique and quite raw, spirited, often dissonant, with the notes sometimes slurring downwards as if the tape has warped (a freaky effect!) Many tracks also have a high-pitched wail in the background that sounds like a Native American chant. If you enjoy the choral music of Bulgaria or South Africa, you may find this of interest as well. If you want to get knocked off-balance, this is for you!

Fo’s picks: 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 15, 16

1. new orchestral track; skip it
2. upbeat, rhythmic, near-African sound
3. dissonant & slurring, slows downnnn…
4. slow hymn, boring and off-key
5. harsh midtempo chant, weird harmony
6. proud, sounds like a freedom march
7. another slurring one; I feel drunk!
8. near-monotone + wails, disturbing!
9. slow male/female call & response
10. slow churchy hymn, many pauses
11. starts uptempo, spirals downward
12. lively island chant, cute spoken break
13. layered chant, drifts downward
14. slow hymn, a bit plodding
15. slow, heavy on the slurring effect
16. a bit of everything in this one; busy

[ Fo ] - 4/16/04

Track Listing
1. Iaorana   9. Te Matamua
2. Oparo E Oparo E   10. I Te Fenua
3. Morotiri Nei   11. Tamaki a Te Mau Ariki
4. Himene Tatou   12. Oparo
5. Tarema   13. Tevaitau
6. Ei Reka E   14. Va Hiti
7. Ratou Ki Ota   15. Tau Matamua
8. Te Vahine Ororagni   16. Te Parau O Eri Rama