Music review: Lanu, The Double Sunrise

Lanu is a solo project from founder of the Bamboos, Lance Ferguson, a Kiwi-born musician who's lived in Australia for years.

But it's his Pacific Island heritage which dominates the sound and feel of this album.

His Tongan-born grandfather Bill Wolfgramm played Hawaiian-style steel guitar and released New Zealand's first LP, South Sea Rhythm, in 1957.

Ferguson's other key influence on this album is the Exotica genre, a blend of sounds representing the South Seas and Orient, with elements from as far afield as Africa and South America.

His modern take, incorporating hip-hop and electronica, brings an intriguing and delightful result.

Opening track Secret Order of the Double Sunrise evokes 1960s Carnaby Street as much as the islands, but it's the perfect mood setter, a mainly instrumental, upbeat and joyful number along the lines of a Lemon Jelly or Go! Team song.

Elsewhere, the rich voice of Megan Washington and the coquettish vocals of Melanie Pain add to the emotion and atmosphere of each song. Fans of Stereolab will enjoy Pain's numbers.

And on Aranui (named after a flying boat at Motat) the Melbourne Samoan Choir delivers beautiful wordless vocals, soaring like the sea plane itself.

A stunning album, let it carry you away to a South Sea paradise.

Rating: 5/5 stars