When I was real young the only music I thought came from the polynesian islands was cheesy old white dudes in flowery shirts playing sentimental trash on a ukulele. That seems so strange now but for reals thats all i’d seen till I was older. I know now that the Pacific is home to some of the most powerful music in the world and if you’ve seen a live log drumming band then I dare you to disagree. Luckily living so geographically close means I have had opportunities to see this stuff live and every time I’m torn between whether to stand there with my jaw dropped or dance frantically, usually ending in a strange mixture of both.

Over time I’v collected some polynesian drum records from markets and second hand stalls for both sampling and listening. There is actually a lot of it around if you know where to look, even some pretty cheesy exotica records can often have a traditional drum track hidden in there somewhere. Anyway posted down below are three of the best I’v come across.

Saloman et on Group avec Kapuhia – Maha U-Paoa of the Pigs (ysi)

Saloman et on Group avec Kapuhia – Manava Nukuhiva (ysi)

The Polynesians – Tanga T aHura Hura (ysi)

Also on a more modern take I highly recommend catching melbourne band Grriilla Step if you ever have the chance. They combine traditional drumming and dance routines with programed beats, crumping and turnable stuff. The support set they did for Buraka Som Sistema’s last visit to Melbourne was off the hook. Below the promo video will give you an insight into the kind of energy unleashed during their show.