This debut album earned gold sales and has recently been re-released.
TAHI set a precedence by fusing traditional Maori instruments, chants and beats with contemporary dance and soul grooves in its title track, produced by Angus McNaughton.
The video for TAHI was voted Top Female Video of the Year by television viewers.
BLACK PEARL became an anthem for Maori women, reaching No.2 on the National Charts and earning the band its first gold record.
The group sang REBEL IN ME to President Nelson Mandela when he was hosted at a special church service in Auckland, while the video for PEACE, LOVE & FAMILY featured The Neville Brothers of New Orleans.
BACK WHERE WE BELONG was a gospel inspired collaboration with Minister Rasul Muhammad of the Nation of Islam. Other guest performers on the album include D-Word (BLACK PEARL), Andrew Fagan (I’LL BE THE ONE) and Hareruia Aperahama (TAHI).
"...Tahi proves the rhythms were there all along with its use of sampled haka, stamps and poi underneath exquisite singing. Given exposure here and abroad, like Australias Yothu Yindi’s ‘Treaty’, it could be the defining moment in New Zealand music this year....”
- New Zealand Listener
"...brown, proud, musically and lyrically … could only have come from New Zealand..."
- The Evening Post