Pacific Islands Radio (Island Music) Newsletter

Jane's Pacific Islands Radio Newsletter (Island Music)
Vol. 1, Edition No.8, January 2005
http://www.pacificislandsradio.com/

I N T H I S I S S U E ____________________________

Objectives
News and Views
Pacific Islands Radio
Feature Artist
Suppliers
Links
Letters

Welcome everybody to our January 2005
edition of Jane's Pacific Islands Radio
Newsletter (Island Music). I do hope that
the New Year will bring with it greater
peace, harmony and prosperity to people
worldwide.

I would like to extend a very warm and sincere
Pacific Island welcome to all our many new
members who have chosen to join us since our
last Newsletter. Welcome on board, please
make yourselves feel at home, relax and enjoy
the enchanting, vibrant, exciting yet soothing,
melodious and magical sounds of the Pacific
Islands!

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this Newsletter is to provide
supplementary information to the listeners of
our four Internet Pacific Islands Radio Stations.
These being the two Pacific Islands Radio
Stations as well as Pacific Music Radio and
Micronesia Music Radio. This information will
embrace some of the exciting changes taking
place in the Internet Radio Revolution as well
as updated information on our Pacific Island
Artists, as well as Programming and Playlists.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Many observers, including my humble self,
have tended to the view that one significant
similarity between cultures worldwide is music
and that beautiful music has inspired many
people worldwide. In this respect, it is most
pleasing to receive e-mails from creative
artists indicating that their best work is
often done while they are playing Pacific
Island music quite loudly in the background.
It provides them with the energy, enthusiasm
and the creativity to raise their work to a
higher level.

Music is also extremely relevant to our
people of Oceania and, in particular the
Pacific Islands, as our cultural heritage
has been passed down over many generations
through our music and dance rather than the
written word. The music and dance of the
Pacific Islands embody the very spirit of
our people. The preservation of our music
and dance is something that is inherent in
the process of our cultural preservation.

The traditional music of Melanesia,
Micronesia and Polynesia all have strong
links with their history, culture and
mythology, and later to our own adaptation
of the music brought to us by the
missionaries in the form of Gospel Music.

To look briefly at one example of Polynesian
music, let us examine the music of Tahiti in
general. The traditional music of Tahiti
utilised a limited range of musical
instruments which were primarily percussion
instruments used to mark the tempo of the
vibrant Tahiti song and dance forms. The
instruments used comprised mainly:

The "vivo" or nasal flûte with four holes
which is no longer widely used.

The "pu" or marine conch pierced with one
hole towards the point, sends out powerful
sounds and was used by the warriors when
at sea.

The "pahu" (which once described all drums)
is a wooden drum (in uru, ati or vi wood)
with a membrane traditionally in shark skin
and now mostly in calf skin, tightened by
strings, wood sticks and rings.

The "to'ere", the Polynesian percussion
by excellence and originally from the Cook
Islands, is a drum with a slit, without
membrane, artfully cut from a wood piece
with the length and the proportion have
an influence on the final sound. The small
to'ere is laid vertically and is played with
one stick. The big to'ere is laid horizontally
(on two support boards) and is played with
two sticks. The sound becomes drier and
sharper the more the to'ere is hit towards
the extremities.

The "tari parau" is a section of the big
drum and has two membranes. It is not
rare to see materials such as plastic or
metal being used in the construction of
this drum.

Finally, as well as the percussion and
wind instruments, there are also the
ukulele and guitar which came from the
Hawaii Islands at the beginning of the
20th century.

Despite the contemporary music of
Tahiti often being strongly inspired by
foreign influences, the traditional music
and instruments of Tahiti still retain
their popularity.The Polynesian remains
quite attached to the old-fashioned charm
of romantic songs that speak of love, sun
and fresh water. Many and various
concerts still attract big crowds, even
among those who like more modern music.
The pleasure of dancing organised on
weekends remains popular with the entire
population and often go on until dawn.

The traditional music and dance of Tahiti
are very much being kept alive by such
talented groups as LES GRANDS BALLETS DE
TAHITI, a group which is very proudly
featured on Pacific Islands Radio. Les
Grands Ballets De Tahiti are a professional
dance troupe who gives the Tahitian Islands
a most sought-out and innovative image.Their
dances, rhythms, music and songs, carry the
spirit between traditional and contemporary.
Founded in its current form in 1998, the
Les Grands Ballets De Tahiti troupe renewed
Polynesian music with a great respect for
tradition while at the same time breathing
in a certain modernism.

Their objective of the troupe is to give
an international dimension to the performing
arts of Tahiti to a worldwide audience.
They have already performed in the United
States and Japan and, in addition, many
other countries have had the chance to
experience their dynamic and exciting
art form.

The music of Les Grands Ballets De
Tahiti can be obtained from Kingmusic
at http://www.kingmusic.co.nz

The traditional music of Tahiti involving
the different percussion instrument can
be heard on the CD Drums of Bora Bora which
can be downloaded at the following URL:
http://www.emusic.com/album/10588/10588278.html

Images and text of Tahiti Music and Dance
can be viewed at the following URL:
http://www.janesoceania.com/tahiti_music/index.htm

MICRONESIA MUSIC ANTHOLOGY

An anthology of traditional Micronesian Music
is available on Micronesia Music Radio:
http://www.live365.com/stations/jane_resture

The anthology can be accessed by clicking on the
Broadcast Schedule after logging in to Micronesia
Music Radio. This should allow you (and our other
listeners worldwide) to determine when the anthology
is available in your beautiful part of the world. For
example, on the Australian Gold Coast, the anthology
is available at 12 noon each Saturday (AEST) and
Kiribati at 2 pm each Saturday afternoon.

The Broadcast Schedule can also be accessed at
the following URL:
http://www.live365.com/broadcast/scheduler/?stationname=jane_resture

The supporting Web site to the anthology
is as follows:
http://www.janesoceania.com/micronesia_music_anthology/index.htm

There is a rich body of work recorded by contemporary
Micronesian musicians including Xavier Fethal, Bata
Teinamati, Bikan Singers, Glenn "Poochie" Paulino,
The Marshall Islands Navigators, Pat Martinez, County
Light and Ray S. Manahane, who have successfully
integrated modern western instruments with traditional
vocals and stories. The music of Micronesia is featured
exclusively on Micronesia Music Radio:
http://www.live365.com/stations/jane_resture

Polynesia comes from the Greek word Poly - many;
and stretches in a huge triangle from New Zealand
in the south-west to Easter Island 8,000 kilometres
away in the southeast and as far again to Hawaii
at its northern apex. Polynesians have a great passion
for their music and, in particular the harmonic content
which comes straight from the heart. The "Gospel
Choirs" of Tahiti and Samoa are particularly
astonishing. The gospel music of Polynesia (and many
of the other Pacific islands) is proudly featured each
Sunday from 12 noon to 3 pm Australian eastern
standard time.

GOSPEL MUSIC

Pacific Islands Radio is very pleased to be able
to advise that a collection of some of the most
exciting and absorbing gospel music from the
Pacific Islands is now being featured on Pacific
Music Radio (FM mp3PRO Stereo), Pacific
Islands Radio 33K (24 kbps) as well as Pacific
Islands Radio 28K (16 kbps)

With an extended running time of three hours,
the gospel collection has proved to be extremely
popular and features the music of a number of
extremely talented artists and groups such as
Vanessa Quai (Vanuatu), Bata Teinamati,
Betania Gospel Singers and Emmaus Family
Singers (Republic of Kiribati), Lia Osborne
(Fiji), Aoloau Youth Choir (Samoa), and The
Auckland Pacific Gospel Choir (New Zealand).

Please monitor the Broadcast Schedule of the
above three Pacific Islands Radio stations for
the availability and time for the Gospel Music
collection. At present this exciting collection
is available every Sunday from 12 midday to
3 pm Australian eastern standard time.

The rich harmonies of Polynesia are also evident
in the modern music of Polynesia with artists
such as Te Vaka, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, RSA
Band, Ta'akoka Dance Troupe, Tahitian Beat,
Sake Faleta, Anivas and many others, providing
their listeners with a rich diversity of exciting
and satisfying music.

Our four Pacific Islands Radio Stations play the
enchanting music of the Pacific Islands 24 hours
daily.
http://www.pacificislandsradio.com/index.htm

Pacific Music Radio (mp3PRO)
http://www.live365.com/stations/drjaneresture
Pacific Islands Radio 33K (24 kbps)
http://www.live365.com/stations/janeresture
Pacific Islands Radio 28K (16 kbps)
http://www.live365.com/stations/janeres
Micronesia Music Radio 33K (24 kbps)
http://www.live365.com/stations/jane_resture

FEATURE ARTISTS

BLACK ROSE

From Fiji, the music of Black Rose combines
the traditional music of Fiji with the modern
interpretations of the melodies and uniquely
regional litanies of the Melanesian composers.
Indeed, the music of Black Rose can bridge
the cultural gap of the two ethnic groups of
Melanesians and Indians that comprise the
beautiful islands of Fiji.

EDOU

This artist is one of the major musical
stars not only of New Caledonia and Melanesia
in general, but also the entire Pacific region.
Edou has set his own creative agenda, and
his music is a commentary of major social
issues in the Pacific region. His music is
sung in French, English, and often in Drehu,
the language of Lifou Islands. His song En
Vain denounces the excessive alcohol
consumption of the young Kanak people
disavowed and often confused by the
shock which they undergo, inherent in the
absence of cultural convergence between
the vestiges of the Kanak customs and
the European civilization which surrounds
them.

The music of Edou is compelling,
absorbing and very highly recommended.

VANESSA QUAI

The recent performance at Parliament House,
Canberra, Australia, by Vanessa Quai is yet
another significant milestone in the career of
this amazing teenage artist from the beautiful
island of Vanuatu.

The occasion was Australia's Annual National
Prayer Breakfast held on the 6th December
2004. The Prayer Breakfast was hosted by
the Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable
John Howard, and was attended by over 600
leaders from across Australia and the Pacific.

For more information on this important
occasion, along with some photographs of
Vanessa Quai performing in Parliament House,
Canberra, Australia, you are invited to visit
the following Web site. There is also a
beautiful photograph of Vanessa Quai, taken
with the Australian Federal Treasurer, the
Honourable Peter Costello, along with her
father/manager Mr. Nigel Quai:
http://www.pacificislandsradio.com/profiles/vanessa_quai/index.htm

SUPPLIERS

The following are some of the main specialist
suppliers of our music from the Pacific
Islands, which are now being used and are
highly recommended by Pacific Islands Radio.

KINGMUSIC -
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Kingmusic offers a wide selection of Pacific
Island music which is available on the Internet.
Their mail order service is very responsive
with orders generally being dispatched on or
about the same day! I would highly recommend
a visit to their extensive and excellent Web
site:
http://www.kingmusic.co.nz/

ISLANDMELODY.COM

Pacific Islands Radio would like to
recommend Islandmelody.com for a
selection of traditional and contemporary
music with an emphasis on Micronesian
music.
http://www.islandmelody.com

BWANARAOI MUSIC SHOP -
TARAWA, REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI

For Kiribati music, along with music from
other Pacific Islands and elsewhere, you
are invited to contact the following
exclusive distributor:

Bwanaraoi Music Shop
C/- Angirota Enterprises
P.O. Box 299
Te Ununiki
Bikenibeu, Tarawa
Republic of Kiribati
Phone/Fax (686) 28236
E-mail: angirota@tskl.net.ki

LINKS

DRUMS OF BORA BORA, TAHITI

The traditional music of Tahiti involving
the different percussion instruments can be
heard on the CD Drums of Bora Bora and
can be downloaded at the following URL:
http://www.emusic.com/album/10588/10588278.html

CALABASH MUSIC (PACIFIC)

Part of a global music Web site where the
visitor can review, listen and appreciate
the musical variety of the Pacific Islands.
Music can also be downloaded and purchased
on this Web site. You can also find many
exciting Pacific Island artists here including:
Wasi Ka Nanara, Toxie, Te Vaka, Toni Huata,
Soul Paua, Becim, Tim Sameke and his
group Wececa, as well as the talented Maori
twins Ruia and Ranea Aperahama. Enjoy!
http://music.calabashmusic.com/world/asia

************************
LETTERS

The following are extracts from a few
of the interesting and most welcome
letters that I have recently received
about our four Pacific Islands Radio
Stations. I would very much like to
share them with you as I find many
of these letters to be most gratifying,
motivating and touching. Please join
with me in thanking these wonderful
people for sharing their thoughts with
us all.
************
JUST A FEW WORDS TO ENCOURAGE
YOU THAT I BECAME A NEW LISTENER
TO YOUR STATION VIA 365.COM WEB
RADIO. I HAD BEEN VISITING THE
NATIONAL WEBSITE FOR TUVALU
TODAY, MONDAY 13TH DECEMBER '04
WHEN I FOLLOWED A LINK TO YOUR
WEB SITE. THE PACIFIC ISLAND MUSIC
IS LOVELY TO LISTEN TO. EVERY
SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE AND HAVE
A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY
2005

SINCERELY YOURS, NEWCASTLE
UPON TYNE, ENGLAND UK

Hello Jane
I enjoyed the station Pacific Radio for
some years now. Even got some of the
records you are playing while visiting
the SouthPacific. For some time now
I cannot get your station on my
computer anymore. All downloads
have no effect. I noticed that the
station is (now) Premium Broadcast.
Did this change anything? Regards

Dear Jane,
Greetings from Belfast, Northern
Ireland!! I happened to stumble upon
the Tuvalu Islands website the other
day, whilst surfing the net. I was
finally able to download your radio
station and listen to some of the music
that you play. Island music is so
different than what I'm used to listening
to here in the United Kingdom, it's such
a pleasant change. I've added you to
my playlist and now, when I'm working
at my computer I am happy to tune in
your station. Thanks for the musical
experience from your homeland ---
(ex-pat American living in N.I.)

I found your website while looking up
about the Carlson's Raiders. Where is
the Gold Coast located. My uncle
brought home a War Bride from
Australia. Her name was Eileen. She
has passed away now. In 1994, my
Father and my Uncle took a vacation
for a month there visiting My Aunt's
relatives. I have been studying all
the Wars so I could get a grasp on
how they happened. I was particularly
interested in the Marine Raiders as
I was in the Corps from 1955 to
1958. Too young for Korea and too
old for Vietnam. I listened to
Radio 365 for a while and I liked
the Music. I wish I could visit there
sometime.

************

COMMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

These are always most welcome and can be
e-mailed to me at:
jane@pacificislandsradio.com

As usual, it has been my great pleasure to
be able to share this edition of our Pacific
Islands Radio Newsletter (Island Music) with
everybody.

Let us all hope for continuing peace and
harmony everywhere as well as for the
people of the Pacific Islands. As always,
I look forward to enjoying the pleasure of
your company next month. Thank you.

May the Joy and Peace of Christmas be
with you today and throughout the New
Year! Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year everybody!

May our God bless us all!

Jane Resture