Dubbed a star

Whirimako Black (second from left) loved working on Salmonella Dub's latest release. Photo / Supplied

Whirimako Black is widely recognised as one of Aotearoa's finest female Maori performers - an acclaimed jazz and soul singer, who has now added dub to her extensive repertoire.

The Auckland-based singer's interest in the genre was triggered in 2008 when she worked with Salmonella Dub on the Feel The Seasons Change recordings with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

It was such a rewarding experience she joined the lads in the studio for their seventh album Freak Controller.

She laughs loudly when asked if earlier in her career she'd ever pictured herself jamming onstage with one of the country's top dub/drum 'n' bass acts: "No way. No way! It's all a growing thing."

Black says participating on the recently released album was unlike any other project and she loved every minute of it. "It was a very enjoyable and trusting collaboration ... And it was a challenge too, having to step in after Tiki Taane (who left the band in 2007)," she says. Now in her 40s, Black, who was born in Whakatane, began singing when she was a child. She was playing in bands by her teens and in 1991 formed the female Maori band Tuahine Wakairo before launching her solo career two years later. She has released seven solo albums over the years. Fans can expect to see another jazz record in 2010.

But right now Black is preparing to take the stage with Salmonella Dub, headlining this year's roots and electronica New Year's Eve party at Music Mountain Matakana.

* Salmonella Dub's Freak Controller is out now. Whirimako Black will join Salmonella Dub at Music Mountain Matakana on December 31.