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'PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE'

The highly anticipated solo album from Tiki Taane featuring the groundbreaking singles Tangaroa, Now This Is It, Our Favourite Target and Always on My Mind

Tiki Taane emerges from two years in the studio with Past, Present, Future, his first solo offering that is musically fearless, intensely personal and culturally significant.

Past, Present, Future is the culmination of a musical journey that has already spanned more than a decade. "I feel like I've completed a fifteen-year apprenticeship," Taane reflects. "But I've never worked so hard, ventured so deep or asked so much of myself as I did during the production of this album. It feels like a graduation."

The raw fusion of Tiki's trademark bass-heavy production with traditional Maori instrumentation characterises the album. "It's like punk dub meets tangatawhenua," Taane states matter-of-factly. This is strikingly evident in the mesmerizing first single Tangaroa, as well as the haunting title track. Past, Present, Future is as much about honouring Taane's Maori ancestry as it is about pushing musical boundaries and exploring the realms of sound.

Widely renowned as one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most talented musicians, producers, sound engineers and vocalists, Tiki Taane doesn't need to mince his words. He sums it up nicely in the second single Now This Is It when he declares that, "this is it, my time to bring the new shit."

The depth of Taane's musical knowledge becomes obvious in an album enriched by contrast and diversity. It is dark yet enlightening, distorted but lush, electronic and organic, grounding though still uplifting. Driven by a desire to truly understand himself and his history, Taane has put everything on the line to create a piece of art that is meaningful and challenging.

"I am motivated and inspired by all who have come before me, all who I walk with today, and all who will follow," he says. "Being of Maori and Pakeha descent has also been a huge influence. To feel as though I have walked been two worlds, yet struggled to belong to either, has allowed me the freedom to forge my own path."

Guest vocalists include Taane's father Uekaha Taanetinorau and grandmother Inuwai, as well as PDigsss, Julia Deans, Celia and Zaniah. In addition, the production talents of P-Money, Sean Deans and Motive represent a handful of collaborations with some of Tiki's closest friends.

Tiki will tour Past, Present, Future with a live band throughout New Zealand in November. The Tiki band includes members of Shapeshifter, also close friends. "Expect a heavy show," Tiki promises. "These guys are my best friends and incredible musicians. We're gonna bring the fire."

Past, Present, Future is out in September on Dirty Dub

Check www.tikidub.com for more info, the Tangaroa video trailer, loads of pics and other niceness!