Aotearoa Album Review

Kaipara and Auckland based five-piece band Soljah have just released their debut album Aotearoa. Soljah is Ben Ratima, Les Watane, Tawhiri Littlejohn, Raniera Littlejohn and Jacob Nansen. The quintet are certainly not strangers to the industry, individually having worked with many well known local artists, including Stan Walker, J Williams, Dane Rumble, Kimbra, David Dallas, Erakah and Anika Moa.

Aotearoa includes their three outstanding singles Summertime, One Night and Kiss Me along with current single and title track Aotearoa. The album as a whole is mesmerizing with elements of blues, funk, R&B, reggae, soul and rock. Smooth raw lyrics and easy transitions. The album has an old school funky fresh flow that is really enhanced with the brass section. You settle into the classic reggae feel until track 9 Youth of a Nation that changes up the sound with an uplifting message for the youth of the nation. It sounds like a song that would be played at a huge youth rally with a big church band with an even bigger sound. Definite funk vibes carry throughout the album that showcase the live talent of this band. It’s no wonder that since Soljah released their debut EP titled Moving Up in 2010 they have performed a multitude of shows around the country, including festivals such as Selective Soundz, Raggamuffin, Raggamuffin Road Trip, and Exodus.