Alright, let’s dive into Tangio Tumas by Narasirato. This album came out in 2011 and it’s a real gem if you’re into raw, earthy sounds that feel like they’ve been pulled straight from the soil of the Solomon Islands. It’s folk, world, and country rolled into one, with a heavy dose of Aboriginal and Pacific vibes. The label Smash put this out, but honestly, it feels bigger than any label—it’s got soul.
Now, I’m not gonna lie, there are some tracks here that just stick with you. Take “Anate’e (Mullet Fish Dance)” for example. Man, this one is catchy as heck. It’s got this hypnotic rhythm that kinda makes you wanna get up and move, even if you don’t know what mullet fish dancing actually looks like (spoiler: I have no clue). There’s something about the way the vocals weave in and out of the percussion—it’s like they’re telling a story without needing words you can understand. Feels ancient, like it’s been sung for generations before Narasirato ever recorded it.
Then there’s “Auni Mako Honu (Tapping Stone).” Whoa, this track hits different. It’s slower, more meditative, and the tapping sound? Super unique. Like, you can almost picture someone sitting on a beach or under a tree, just working away at a stone while humming along. It’s peaceful but also kinda haunting, like it’s reminding you how small we all are compared to nature. You don’t hear stuff like this every day, trust me.
The rest of the album keeps that same vibe going—tracks like “Mato Are Inau (Land Is Mine)” and “Naratana Papa (Grandmother’s Lament)” bring so much emotion and history to the table. It’s not polished or perfect, but that’s exactly why it works. These songs feel alive, like they’re part of something bigger than themselves.
What strikes me most about Tangio Tumas is how unapologetically itself it is. You won’t find flashy production or autotune here—just pure, unfiltered expression. And honestly, after listening to it, I kinda wish I could just hop on a plane to the Solomon Islands or Europe and see Narasirato live. Or maybe just sit around a fire somewhere, staring at the stars, letting those rhythms wash over me.
Here’s the random thought that popped into my head though: If aliens landed tomorrow and asked us to explain human music, I’d hand them this album. Not because it’s easy to explain, but because it’s proof that music doesn’t need rules to be powerful. Just saying.
