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OCEANSTREAM RECORDS WITH DEBUT CD - CHORD BROWN |
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By Malia Tu’ai Manuleleua |
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Brothers, Robert and Lloyd come from a long line of successful and high
achieving Wendts. With long time friend African American Tim Carter,
they are the three man team behind Oceanstream a record label company
set up in March 2000 and based in Los Angeles.
Lloyd, Robert and Tim wrote and produced the 12 songs featured in their
debut CD, Chord Brown which features 4 exciting and up and coming
Polynesian artists based in L.A. Vika is of Samoan descent, with his
mother from Fitiuta, American Samoa and his father from Vaipuna Samoa,
Cook Islander Alize, Leilani who is Samoan / Polish and Zhen who is
Samoan / Native American Indian.
Chord Brown includes ever popular hit song “Pualena” sung by Vika,
“You’re so fine”, sung by Zhen, “Brown Boy” sung by Leilani and “My
island home” sung by Alize and other singles which have been hitting
the Pacific airwaves. Vika and Zhen have been described by many as
“Polynesia’s newest and smoothest Balladeers.”
The popularity of Pualena and other Chord Brown songs has been
overwhelming for them and to hear their music on the radio here has
been quite an experience. According to Auckland based national Pacific
radio station Niu FM, Pualena is one of the most popular and most
requested songs since it was first aired on the station. Vika said
that, “Pualena is a song about that special someone you’re looking
for.”
“The label, debut compilation Cord Brown, the new brown sound is one of
the most original and powerful sounds to come along in Polynesian
music.” One fan and local musician and entertainer Loma Semeatu said “
their music is beautiful, blend of r’n b, soul, so distinct and unique
with its Polynesian flavour…”
“Our music is from a conglomeration of ideas and taking issues that you
can identify with,” Tim said. “Its music for people from 8-80 yrs old.
He added that “the upcoming album is a little risqué a combination of
old school, reggae, jazz, pop, r’n b…blend of various musical styles
and genres ..its poly-urb-pop”.
The name of the album“Cord Brown “…cord represents the 3 notes that
make a cord,” the production team, Lloyd, Robert and Tim and “Brown”
represents Polynesians”, Robert said. |
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Brothers, Robert and Lloyd with African American friend Tim
Carter, the three man team behind the Oceanstream a record label
based in Los Angeles with debut CD – Chord Brown |
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Chord Brown features Vika of Samoan descent, with his mother
from Fitiuta, American Samoa and his father from Vaipuna Samoa;
and Zhen who is Samoan / Native American Indian |
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Promoting Chord Brown in New Zealand which includes ‘Pualena’
sung by Vika, ‘You’re so fine’, sung by Zhen, ‘Brown Boy’ sung
by Leilani and ‘My island home’ sung by Alize |
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“Contacts and knowing the right people was important in the industry as
well as getting radio stations to play their music. Oceanstream is a
Polynesian record label platform for Polynesian talent”, Lloyd said.
“Our long term goal is to have a base here in New Zealand and Hawaii so
that Polynesians can infiltrate the mainstream market and make a
significant contribution with their unique sounds.”
Initial contact was made with Oceanstream via an email from former Niu
FM broadcaster / Naked Samoans actor Oscar Keightley enquiring about
their music. Consequently this led to their visit to Auckland and Zhen
and Vika performing at the annual Pasefika Festival held at Western
Springs, Auckland. Unfortunately their other two artists, Leilani and
Alize were unable to accompany them.
It was the first visit to New Zealand for the group and they were
humbled and appreciated the warm reception received by the Polynesian
community in Auckland and New Zealand as a whole. They hope to return
to New Zealand for a tour in the near future.
Zhen’s advice to aspiring Polynesian youth, “don’t ever stop trying ..I
grew up with the notion of I can be something, I can do something, I
can achieve something…”
Further information on Oceanstream and its artists can be found on
www.oceanstreamrecords.com
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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