Che Fu and the Kratez live at the BNZ theatre, Hamilton
Show: Che Fu and the Kratez (with special guests)
Where: BNZ theatre, Hamilton
When: Sunday October 18
Reviewed by: Paul Michael
A celebration of Pacifica music took place in Kirikiriroa -Hamilton last night.
The performance was the final night of a 10 date tour of Aoteoroa to mark the 25th anniversary of Che Fu’s landmark album, The Navigator. Joining him were his long-time band, The Kratez and special guests King Kapisi, Aaradhna and Betty-Anne.
King Kapisi warmed up the audience in front of the black stage curtains, working his turntables as dry ice drifted through the air.
Che Fu entered for the first half of the show dressed in camouflage shorts, a cream jacket and cap, standing with his back to the audience in front of partly opened curtains to the opening sounds of ‘The Mish’. The curtains were then drawn to reveal The Kratez and Brass Knuckles horn section; dressed sharply in suits.
The crowd cheered and whistled as the band went through a set under red, blue and purple spotlights.
King Kapisi joined Che on stage for ‘Screems of da Old Plantation’, then Aaradhna had a three-song set which included ‘Downtime,’ a highlight sounding like a classic hit from the Atlantic records soul stable.
Betty Anne of Ardijah fame sang the classic ‘Watching You,’ playing an eight string ukelele with Semi Leo playing outstanding bass guitar. Che Fu and the Krates ended the set with ‘Misty Frequencies. The crowd going wild with woos and whistles before intermission.
The second half started, full band on stage dressed in khaki playing the song ‘Chains’ with Che showing off his vocal skills. Betty Anne came on and played the Ardijah song “Time makes the wine’ the audience filling up the aisles dancing.
Other highlights followed such as Supergroove cover ‘Sitting inside my head’ with a great saxophone solo from Loxmyn McDonald-Ness, Che’s son; the baby in the carry bag on the cover of The Navigator album.
Che then sat down and sang a soul song ‘Hold Tight,’ with Malcolm Lakatani playing acoustic guitar, Che letting out his inner Sam Cooke.
‘Fade Away’ finished the second set, the first two verses sung in Te Reo Māori and the band left the stage to the chanting of “we want more!”
The encore was the Pacifica soul fusion song ‘Waka” with the whole band and guests onstage. When they finished, Che called out from the stage, Hāumi e! Hui e! Tāiki e!, Join together! Gather together! Bind together!
The band were given a standing ovation and the crowd left to the sounds of Reverand Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together.’
A brilliant stage show that was incredibly well balanced, executed and showed the true professionalism of these artists.
Paul Michael is a Wintec student studying the NZ Diploma in Journalism
