Double LP Gatefold
 
Upper Hutt Posse have been absent for far too long so it excellent to have them back -  now officially as UHP - with the powerful double vinyl Hau (the breath of life, spiritual energy).
It opens with a strident slice of socio-political Sly Stone funk-rap on Preeach before some old school reggae reaches out on Counterattack with a “positive vibration” and a slippery Studio One sound pushing the mana motuhake message.
Across these 26 tracks – Side 3 has seven terrific dub versions and Side 4 six instrumental versions – there is a serious meltdown of scratching, free jazz wailing sax, ragga, soundscapes (Culture of Violence), spoken word (Deficit of Love), samples (powerful snatches of Farrakhan on the anti-rape/violence against women on Patua Te Pawhera) and catchy reggae pop . . . with messages as on the reggae-toasting pop of Soon Come: “wickedness a-go fall, justice and freedom for all”.
With the original Posse member MC Wiya alongside multi-instrumentalist Dean Hapeta (whose youngest daughter Ahurei also appears), Hau is showcase of sound and styles with Robertson and Henderson back, and guests including drummer Riki Gooch, keyboardist Leo Coghini, string players and many others.
It has been a decade since the last UHP album and although they never troubled the charts, this vinyl release is strong return to form which demands to be heard. (Graham Reid)