Album Review: Ardijah The Best: Polyfonk

Ardijah - <i>The Best: Polyfunk</i>. Image / Supplied

Rating: 4/5
Verdict: The past and present wrapped up in time for summer

In the decade before hip-hop became the distinctive voice of South Auckland, the Polynesian soul-funk of Ardijah was the most prominent and carried to a wider audience by the singles Give Me Your Number, Watching U and Time Makes A Wine from their platinum-selling 88 album Take a Chance.

Helmed by multi-instrumentalist/writer/producer Ryan Monga and singer Betty-Anne, the band went to Australia where litigation prevented them from recording for three years. But they never stopped working there - and here when they returned five years later.

This 19-song collection picks up career highlights where classic Motown styles (Smokey, the Jackson 5) sit easily alongside tougher urban funk and seductive reggae grooves.

And they always made a fine fist of covers (McCartney's Silly Love Songs went to number 1, there's a fine Midnight Train To Georgia) although Leo Sayer's Moonlighting sounds a little dated.

But the Polynesian influences (Pacific rhythms, ukulele) elevated them into their self-described "PolyFonk". Here are new versions of Haere Mai and E Ipo alongside Polynesian Girl and Somewhere Over The Rainbow (more recently made popular by the late Hawaiian singer Iz).

Betty-Anne's soulful voice doesn't resort to Idol-like over-emoting and this collection reminds you what an important, influential band they were. And remain.

-TimeOut / elsewhere.co.nz