Road From 26

''Road from 26'' is the debut studio album by New Zealand roots reggae band Corrella, released on 26 May 2023. The album features the single "Blue Eyed Māori", which was one of the top performing singles by a New Zealand artist for 2023.

Production

''Road from 26'' was recorded at Parachute Studios in Kingsland, Auckland. The album features songs written by the bandmembers, in collaboration with Jess Rapana of Origin Roots Aotearoa, Selwyn Lloyd and producer Jimmy Colbert of the band 1814. The album title, ''Road from 26'', is a reference to 26 Corrella Road, the address on the North Shore where the band used to practice.

The majority of the album was written by Pipiwharauroa Campbell and Te Naawe Tupe. "Ko Au (I Am Me)", sung bilingually in Māori and English, was written by Pipiwharauroa Campbell, about his own experiences with rediscovering pride in his cultural identity. "Blue Eyed Māori" is a song with two inspirations: multi-racial children born during the New Zealand Wars in the 19th Century, and Tupe's goddaughter. Many of their songs are inspired by their experiences as Navy personnel on overseas tours, while others are inspired by family members, including "Promise", a song dedicated to Campbell's son, and "Visions", the first song bass player Codi Wehi-Ngati wrote for the band, which he dedicated to his family.

The album features guest appearances by musicians Thabani Gapara, Christian Mausia and Gin the Artist. Gapara and Mausia perform horns on "Whisky", while Mausia performs the trumpet solo on "Blue Eyed Māori". Gin the Artist performs violin for the album's ending track, "Promise".

Release and promotion

The album was preceded by the singles "Skankin'", released in December 2022, "Little Circles" in March 2023, and "Ko Au (I Am Me)" in early May.

The album was released on 26 May 2023, during NZ Music Month. "Whisky" was released as a single during the album's release, and "Blue Eyed Māori", a sleeper hit, was formally promoted to radio stations in July. The band toured the album in New Zealand, with a six-date tour from July to September, ending with a performance at the Kingslander in Auckland, where they were supported by New Zealand reggae band Mirage. The album's final single, "Lady Divine", was released in December.

In late 2023, "Blue Eyed Māori" was certified platinum in New Zealand, and became the eighth best performing song by a New Zealand artist in New Zealand for 2023, and the only song released in 2023 to make the top 20 singles by New Zealand artists.

Critical reception

Kerry MB of ''muzic.net.nz'' reviewed the album positively, calling ''Road from 26'' "a stunner" and "a beautiful, well-rounded album with so much hidden gems". She praised the vocals by Pipiwharauroa Campbell and Rebecca Brady's lead vocals on "Little Circles", as well as the "beautiful harmon esand melod es of the album. MB likened ''Road from 26'' to New Zealand musicians L.A.B. and Six60, but believed that Corrella had a unique sound of their own.

Track listing

Charts

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Road from 26
2023 debut albums
Reggae albums by New Zealand artists