Mmmmmmmmm, this is what chocolate would sound like. Warm, smooth, velvety, puts a naughty smile on your dial, and sends you somewhere sweeeeet… which is great, because I’m writing this while knocked sideways with dose number two of the Rona. Say aww now!

Aja Wairere Ropata (Ngāti Raukawa, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Porou) is fast becoming a New Zealand R & B/Soul powerhouse. This new single, True Love, is overloaded with class. A smooth, Sade-esque vibe and tempo – although not jazz – adds to a vocal that could sit with Beyonce, or the greats of the past such as Diana Ross or Gladys Knight. What a voice!

A 2023 mix of some great instruments makes me feel the big band feel of Motown in days past. A simple but memorable melody, and a singalong chorus, help us to understand that this is, for once, an unashamed love song. In times like ours, we need this. From the EPK the explanation is that through meaningful connections we find our truest selves.

Aja and her cousin Te Kawa Herangi wrote the song. The fabulous musicians in the ensemble are executive producer Delaney Davidson (organ), Tola Newbery (percussion), Te Kawa Herangi (composer, author, guitarist), Peter Riley (bass), Miharo Gregory (keys), Louisa Williamson (saxophone/flute), Cameron Robertson (trumpet), Patrick Di Somma (trombone) and Sam Notman (drums). Shoutouts must also go to the exceptional production on this track, by technical demonstrator/sound engineer, Mike Gibson and engineer/producer Thomas Te Taite – who recorded it in the Wellington Massey University Studio, Te Ahumairangi building.

Tola and Aja perform the lead parts in the great video that accompanies the track. No nonsense needed, it’s there to feature two people discovering how deep love can take you. Fantastic lighting, great angles and a really easy storyboard are highly effective. A video that delivers. Well done to Director Jessica Sanderson and Director of Photography Matt Henly. A good team to have on your side.

This one is crying out for mechanical licensing, as it seems to me it tells the tale that everyone will recognise and can sit as the soundtrack to a billion lives. It’s one for late on at the house party, or at the wedding, or the barbie. This is Soul, delivered by a GENUINE Soul Lady and you must pick the time, because when you get it right, this song will leave you walking on air.

Follow AJA on all socials. This one is worth it.