Album Review: Little Bushman - Te Oranga

It has been four years waiting for the latest album by Little Bushman and what difference those four years can make. Whereas their last album, Pendulum, felt under the weight of the world, stifled by the ills of the world, Te Oranga is a much lighter and carefree affair. The title track starts proceedings with a gentle acoustic intro before being accompanied by the incomparable Warren Maxwell singing beautifully in Te Reo Maori. Even when the main beat kicks in it never dispels that peaceful, friendly air so masterfully established. The harsh, neurotic overtones of Hendrix worship have certainly softened with time into a pastoral vibe that would synch well with Led Zeppelin 3. Frowns have been turned upside down into careworn smiles and dark times have been swallowed studied relief. Perhaps it is the powerful electric guitars of previous albums taking a backseat role allowing the band to coalesce into a warmer, more organic sound. There are no lectures here or overt political sermons, no heavy subject material to drag one screaming into the “now”; just a loving embrace like meeting old friends at the pub.

Continue reading this review of Te Oranga by Little Bushman HERE.