THE renowned Fiji music band Black Rose (Rosiloa) have arrived in the country yesterday in a historical tour to perform in Honiara this Saturday at the Cowboys Bar & Grill.
Black Rose which is signed by the New Caledonian music label ‘Mangrove Productions’ mainly performs the chant or traditional and contemporary music genre.
The band’s songs are mainly about nature – the sounds of trees and birds and the natural setting surrounding humanity – to raise awareness about their importance.
After releasing several covers albums in Fiji, the Black Rose released their first original album ‘Voices of Nature’ in 2000 and the single Raude. Raude is a mix of traditional Fijian music called ‘Meke’ and modern dance rhythms.
The release of the Voices of Nature was followed by the band’s second Album ‘Kila…?’ in 2002.
This was further followed by their first Best of Albums ‘Rosiloa’ in 2005, featuring a new song as well as unreleased remixes and video footage from the making of Kila…?
The band’s latest effort is titled Ancient Pulse which was released in 2009.
Black Rose lead vocalist Jim Ratusila told a press conference upon the band’s arrival in Honiara yesterday that the famous African band Oyaba had encouraged him to name the band Black Rose in 1994 when they toured Fiji.
Ratusila said Black Rose refers to Africa and Africa is unique and that black people are special.
“The band started back in 1992. It was formed by us a group of boys from the same church and we started singing and producing music back then. Some of us came in along the way,” Ratusila said.
Ratusila said music has evolved a lot over the years in the Pacific region and all this is because of softwares that made life so much easier to create more music.
He emphasized this as a good thing for the development of music in the region.
Ratusila also took the opportunity to wish Solomon Islands and its citizens well in coming elections in April.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
