"Big fan brada!" were the first words uttered by O-Shen when he met Rosi Loa front man Jim Ratusila at South Pacific Recording studios in Nadi in September this year.
"This is a dream come true for me."
The blonde dreadlocked singer is a big fan of Rosi Loa.
He was in Fiji to visit friends and develop property when approached by Rosi Loa producer Alain Lecante to be a part of a song called Under Pacific Skies.
"I was like - let's get it on!" the Papua New Guinea based musician shared.
The much anticipated and long awaited album by the band formerly known as Black Rose will be released in December this year. The guys that revolutionized Fijian music as we knew it and gave us hits like Raude, Butu and Power For The People and whose stirring renditions of Waidebala, Lomai Galoa and Domoni Iko swept like a musical tsunami across the Pacific and beyond are back. The album titled Ancient Pulse features twelve smashing new tracks including a musical gem - a guest appearance by none other than Pacific chart buster, O-Shen.
"Recording with him was an honor - he knows his stuff, the guy is humble yet professional and a very proud Pacific islander," said Ratusila, referring to O-Shen.
The lyrics to Under Pacific Skies were written by aircraft engineer turned musician and composer William Waqanibaravi, better known as Bigwilz, whose debut single Lorna has been a mainstay on Bula FM's top 5 at 5 for the past few months.
"The lyrics came easily to me, I was writing about how in the past, our ancestors and now, new migrants have journeyed across the globe and found solace in the Pacific- away from their concrete jungles, rat race and the ever watchful eyes of big brother," explained Bigwilz
For Jim Ratusila, the message has remained sacred and true. The only change is the music direction- away from the Euro-Dance infected album Kila to a more grounded, reggae-driven and earthy sound that sums up Ancient Pulse.
"This is something that I'm very passionate about - a message that I've been driving at since Voices of Nature. We need to look back and learn from the past in order to embrace the future. Our ancestors knew the importance of being at one with nature- a lesson we're only beginning to learn now that we're almost at the point of no return in regards to global warming. We desperately need to be in harmony with each other and with nature in order to survive as a species. Governments, municipalities, provinces, cities towns and villages need to safeguard the interests and well-being of their people before corporations- we need to value the greatest gift that God gave us - human life," Ratusila adamantly stated.
Religion plays a dominant role in this predominantly Catholic band and the recording of Ancient Pulse began in early September 2009 with Mass at Rosi Loa's headquarters in Solovi, Nadi.
"Father Dominiko, the band chaplain, offered up Mass which was attended by the band members, producer Alain Lecante and executive producer David Le Roy," said keyboard player and co-producer Peter Chong.
Lecante has been with Rosi Loa since the early days of Black Rose and Le Roy is the sound magician responsible for
After that the boys got down to business. Pre-production- the process in which each song is put together from introduction to ending was done in Solovi, primarily by Chong and Le Roy. As the process progressed - inspiration around the tanoa bred new compositions which were added to the mix.
Once everybody was happy, Rosi Loa went into South Pacific Recordings studio in Nadi and began recording the final vocal takes.
Live guitars, lali and ukulele courtesy of Sirilo Daurewa and Ratusila were also added to the mix. "We also recorded the lali at Mount Saint Mary's Church which was used as percussion on many of the tracks," said Le Roy.
Le Roy is the sound magician responsible for the unique blending of Fijian vucu with Euro-dance rhythms which resulted in their most memorable hit so far - Raude.
"The best I can describe Ancient Pulse is ... you'll just have to hear it. It's a unique blend of modern reggae infused with hip-hop and Fijian vucu with a hint of country'n western," said Le Roy while trying his best to describe the music melting pot that Ancient Pulse is.
Le Roy has taken the completed tracks to France to weave some more musical magic into the grooves. From there, the tracks will be emailed to Derek Metier in New Zealand for mixing and mastering. The world awaits.
For Black Rose fans, this album will no doubt quench their musical thirst, for the younger generation there is plenty to keep them bopping - Ancient Pulse is designed to please people of all ages and backgrounds.
Keep watching for further updates.
