Black Light Album Review

The cold breath of winter is whispering at the door, so for me this means spending more time at home, curled in front of the fire with some choice kiwi sounds heating my soul and currently filling the void is the debut album from Miss Black and the Light.

Miss Black (aka Ngatapa Black) is a bilingual singer songwriter more commonly found working for Maori television, but thankfully found time to bring us this unique blend of kiwiana entitled Black Light. Influences from India Arie, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu are felt throughout the album without losing her own intense flavour and seams to magically step from Maori to English without missing a beat. 

Miss Black doesn’t just do this alone though, band members, Her band The Light, is a talented mix from other bands such as Ardijah, Tohu and Che Fu and The Krates. 

Included on this album is the Maori language single, He Maimai Aroha which was co-written with fellow broadcaster Julian Wilcox and music supplied by Shane Taipari, was a finalist in the contemporary Maori music category, the APRA Maioha Award, of last year’s APRA Silver Scroll Awards.

Enough background, this album surprised me with its catchy melodies that move you along while singing along (in my case, quite badly) and the whole family joining in. The album starting off with a Roots feel and slowly moving more into a jazz-blend feel that keeps you hooked.

This is a really great piece of Aotearoa packed into an album that can be enjoyed by the whole whanau. Give it a go if you’re into tones of India Arie, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu and you won’t be disappointed.