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Tahuna Breaks - Album Review - Black Brown & White

05 Sep 2009 // A review by amandashootsbands
It’s a freezing spring morning in the city of the future, but as I sit here listening to Black Brown & White, I can feel the first hints of summer shining through. Wrapping its arms around me lovingly with fresh funky beats from one of New Zealand’s most loved and talked about acts, Tahuna Breaks.

Since starting out in 2005, they’ve come a long way producing the sounds they are so passionate about, with the admirable attitude that ‘anything goes’. Mixing various genres from Reggae to Roots, Funk to Rock n’ Roll, the eight piece are certainly making their mark with their unique sound.

2007 saw the release of their debut album, Reflections which reached the number three position on the Independent Charts. Following on from this achievement, the band went on to release three music videos which received airplay nationwide, along with picking up a Juice TV music award.

With numerous tours and festivals under their belts, the band has now produced their second album to hit the shelves, Black Brown & White. It’s an eclectic mix of what they do best and truly screams iconic New Zealand summer...Blue skies, beaches, BBQ’s and jandels.

The first track – Empower Me sets the scene with fabulous reggae funk that it’s hard not to get in the groove and let that whole sunny day mindset kick in. I’d be very surprised if you didn’t find yourself bobbing your head up and down like one of those dogs in the back of poppa’s car.

Giddy Up is amazing. I’d be lying if I said that anything with ‘giddy up, ride that funky pony’ amongst its lyrics wasn’t a winner in my books, so I’m picking this one as my favourite track on the album. It’s full of dirty funk and reminds me a heck of a lot of Wellington lads, Odessa. Delightful.

A new sound comes with Black Brown & White. It’s relaxed and soulful with few lyrics throughout. It shows off the softer side to the band that is an easy listen and the perfect transition leading into Crisis Situation – a dub / roots based tune really showcasing the bands diversity.

Somebody’s Daughter and Sophie’s Lullaby are wonderfully simple tracks that again show off the groups many different styles. There aren’t many acts around who can pull this off so well, but for Tahuna Breaks they clearly know and love what they’re doing and it works.

Coming to the end of the disc, I Can’t Stand It drags you back into the funk which is fully discovered again in We Funk The Party. Obviously. They’ve really hit the nail on the head with the compilation of this album making sure that every tune fits perfectly in its place and in turn rolled out seamlessly.

If ever there were an album to drive the chill off your bones and get you in the mood for long, hot New Zealand summers it’s Black Brown & White. After checking it out, I’m keen to see them live – and as luck would have it, they’re touring our shores right now! Yeah!

Amanda Ratcliffe
 

About Tahuna Breaks

Tahuna Breaks have always encompassed a rich diversity of musical genres and styles. With seven members, the group has an appetite for continuously pushing boundaries in their live performance bringing a stage act that is energetic, tight and passionate to the audience.

Combining aspects of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s Tahuna Breaks are influenced by artists as varied as James Brown to Daft Punk. Being unafraid to mix genres they have honed their live sound to encompass funk, disco, soul and roots focusing on addictive rhythms that get audiences moving.

The band has performed at The Big Day Out, Homegrown, Highlife NYE and many other major festivals in New Zealand and Australia, along with countless sell out national tours and one off performances.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Tahuna Breaks

Releases

Tahuna Breaks Live 10
Year: 2015
Type: Album
Shadow Light
Year: 2013
Type: Album
Black, Brown and White
Year: 2009
Type: Album
Reflections
Year: 2007
Type: Album

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