From Tāmaki Makaurau, Ra Charmian brings us the follow up to their Te Reo cover of Satchmo‘s Wonderful World, the enchanting nee single Te Aroha. With a vid filmed on and in Manukau Harbour, we get a glimpse of the warmth and togetherness felt by whanau of the band, and extended as is tradition, to us the visitor.

Written to celebrate Ra‘s pregnancy, and the excitement and anticipation for the magical times to come, the message is also about the love for those who have passed through Ra and Hayden‘s lives, and those who still inhabit their world now. Nice message. Positivity in a time where that is sorely needed. Love in a time when too many people despair of ever experiencing it again.

From the EPK: Reflecting on the history of the Manukau Harbor and its place in te ao Māori (the shores were home to some of the earliest Māori settlements and the Harbour had vital transportation routes), the pair explain that, while the harbour carries such lifeforce, it can also be “wild and treacherous with many hidden dangers.” They say that this speaks to the challenges and losses we have in life. ”Its wild beauty feels like it connects us to our ancestors and also brings life to the present and future.”

The video shows Ra visibly expectant, and is coupled with shots of friends and whanau enjoying time with our intrepid duo. All filmed around Manukau Harbour or around the country on their musical journey, it’s a gentle and easy video to follow. Hayden put it together in fact. Nice job sir. Go check it on the You Tubes.

Its a soulful reggae number. The chorus being sung in Te Reo is a huge thumbs up for me, not just because of the use of the indigenous language – vital in current times with a government actively challenging its continuation – but its meaning is pure love. Having been present for the birth of all four of my sons, I remain in awe of the female human being, and can profess that the love that explodes into your life when you see the woman you love bring forth a new person, your love for your partner and that new person is limitless. To me it gave the lesson that there is really no end to how much love we can feel, if we let it. This is what’s resonating so much for me upon hearing this number and understanding the meaning behind it.

It’s a mid-tempo, gentle number. Guitar and a warm bottom end, augmented by some really cool BVs behind Ra‘s powerful vocal. Man she’s got some pipes. This is a song that will keep summer with you as the seasons down here in the south begin to cool. Barbecue or party, commute or a cruise with the crew, this will work.

Ra Charmian has hit it out of the park again. Gorgeous song. I’m going to tell my mate Jordon to have a listen.