Ruia: Waiata of Bob Marley 2

By GRAHAM REID

The first volume of this somewhat overdue treatment of Brother Bob's music in te reo -- by twins Ruia and Ranea Aperahama -- was a surprise underground hit. In other words it got few reviews and little radio play, yet its audience found it. This album by Ruia and produced by Simon Lynch follows

the template of the first: melodically faithful versions of popular Marley material, the I-Three's sound added by Stephanie Pohe, Vivienne Merito and Erina Aperahama (in a further Marley-mimic, she is also the singerÕs wife), and seemingly impossible English translated into workable Maori.

"Buffalo soldier" is "peruperu tupara" it seems. Because there's a lyric sheet in te reo (Lively Up Yourself is Tihei Mauri Ora) and through the familiarity of the music -- these are synthetic studio recreations of the WailersÕ more earthy sound -- this should endear it to the same audience which embraced the first, while helpfully letting you know that Roots Rock Reggae translates to "te pu, te weu, te more". --
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