Tahi, Rua, and now Toru... The third album by Moana was as much influenced by Moanas visits to the Buddha Bar in Paris, as her continuing love of moteatea.

I heard very cool Indian and Arabic music mixed in with contemporary grooves, and that kind of fusion was what I started on my previous albums, says Moana. So the moteatea style of vocalising is predominant. But there is a definite R & B groove to Te Kohu and Hine Te Iwaiwa, which isnt suprising given one of the producers (Tony Battle) L.A roots.

Moanas Favourite tracks on the new album include Te Ha, Hine te iwaiwa and Te Po, the latter of which is a theme song for the short film by partner, filmmaker Toby Mills.

What I like most about it is that we recorded Hirini Melbourne singing, says Moana. Its a very dark song about tortuous, obsessive love and I quite like that.

A video for the song Hine te Iwaiwa was filmed among ancient ruins in Greece and is currently in production.

Te Kakano talks about whakapapa, and how even those who cant find out the details about their whakapapa (genealogy), can still link to the ancestors who first bought us to Aotearoa, says Moana. Those of us brought up within the comforts of our tribe and whanau need to realise that those same units sometimes put pressure on young mothers to adopt their offspring out, and those children too have a place to stand in Maori society.

Toru is full of cruisey mellow songs, says Moana. This is your thinking persons chill-out album, thinking while you sway.

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Nga Waiata :

1. Te Kapua Whakapipi

2. Te Kohu

3. Te Kakano

4. Hine-te-iwaiwa

5. Te Po

6. Calling You

7. Te Ha

8. Speak To Me

9. Ko Koe Ra

10. Te Aho

11. Calling You (Extended Version)