Best of island sounds

Pauly Fuemana from OMC. Photo / Supplied

Elvis Presley becomes an honorary Pacific Island cuzzie-bro on a new album to be released in time for the Pasifika Festival in March.

The King's version of the song Hawaiian Wedding Song, which he sang in the 1961 film, Blue Hawaii, appears on Pasifika: The Collection, a 40-song double-disc compilation made up of classic songs and chart topping hits by South Pacific artists.

It features established acts such as Nesian Mystik, LA-based hip-hop crew Boo Yaa Tribe, and Tiki Taane, and new talent, including J Williams and Smashproof, alongside "Pacific legends" like Zipso, Herbs and Brother Love.

While the inclusion of Elvis might seem a bit of a stretch, Andy Murnane of Dawn Raid Entertainment and co-creator of the album, says the song, which was originally written by composer Charles King in 1926 for his operetta, Prince of Hawaii, is the classic wedding song for many Polynesian weddings.

Pasifika opens with OMC's How Bizarre, a song by the late Pauly Fuemana who died on January 31, and according to Murnane it was always going to be the first track.

"That is still the benchmark song for not only Pacific music, but for New Zealand," says Murnane, who, along with fellow Dawn Raid boss Brotha D has had the idea for a South Pacific compilation for a few years now.

"We've just had so many No 1's from Pacific Island artists over the years, but outside of that there are all sorts of classic songs that if you go to any Polynesian or Maori party you will hear these songs."

He's talking about songs like Zipso's Fika Mai Le Pese and, especially, Brother Love's Roimata (Have You Ever Loved A Woman).

"That's a huge song. In fact, you put that on at any party and that song will go off. Those are two that people might not be aware of but if you put those on in a club anywhere it will be big."

The album will be released on March 8 and the Pasifika Festival is on March 13 at Western Springs.

Pasifika: The Collection

Disc 1

OMC - How Bizarre
Nesian Mystik - Nesian 101
Yandall Sisters - Sweet Inspiration
Annie Crummer Ft. Herbs - See What Love Can Do
Elvis Presley - Hawaiian Wedding Song
Adeaze Ft. Aaradhna - Getting Stronger
Sisters Underground - In The Neighbourhood
Savage Ft. Baby Bash & Angel Dust - Wild Out
J. Williams - Stand With You
Te Vaka - Pate Pate
Herbs - French Letter
Brother Love - Roimata (Have You Ever Loved A Woman)
Ardijah - Time Makes The Wine
Smashproof Ft. Gin - Brother
Mareko Feat Baby Down & Aaradhna - Soul Food (Island Way)
Horsemen Family Ft. Sweet & Irie -Feels Like Magic
Che Fu - Waka
Cydel - Luv Is
AKA Brown Ft. Dave Dobbyn - Beside You
The Jets - Crush On You

Disc 2

Herbs - Long Ago
Katchafire - Giddy Up
Tiki Taane - Always On My Mind
Adeaze - A Life With You
Scribe - Dreaming
Nesian Mystik - Nesian Style
Boo Yaa Tribe - Psyko Funk
Spacifix - Sunshine Day
Sweet & Irie - Sweet & Irie
Feelstyle Ft. Mareko, Flowz & Lapi Mariner - I Do Believe (Remix)
Jamoa Jam - Knowing You
Fuemana - Closer
Lost Tribe - Summer In The Winter
Savage Ft. Rock City - I Love The Islands
Zipso - Fika Mai Le Pese
Moizna - Just Another Day
King Kapisi - Screams From The Old Plantation
Chong-Nee - More Than You Know
Mr Tee Ft. Ben Vai - Popole Ia Oe
Angela Afeaki - Happy Happy Tonga