South Pacific sounds

NZ group Te Vaka has made the list of nominees for next year’s BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music. The Polynesian ensemble, led by Opetaia Foa’i, describe their sound as “tribal, powerful and rootsy yet melodic, warm, earthy and atmospheric.” Te Vaka means “the canoe” in Tokelau – the predominant language used in the songs. The winners will be announced in London on March 2004.