“VICTORIA EP”
Victoria Taimane(DREAM Ohana)
Television producer Al Masini had a tried-and-true method for naming a television show, book, or similar product – he simply described what it was as clearly and concisely as possible. “Entertainment Tonight,” “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” “Solid Gold,” “Star Search” and “Destination Stardom,” were all successful shows he created.
Big Island-born recording artist Victoria Taimane applies Masini’s wisdom in naming her five-song debut EP. It is a noteworthy calling card for a multitalented singer/songwriter.
Taimane writes in the liner notes that the five songs come out of experiences she’s had during the last 10 years of her life. There were times she felt “surrounded by the sweet transforming presence of God,” she writes — and yet other times when she was “walking in the mud that I had created.”
She starts the EP with powerful inspirational anthem “King of Glory,” in which she calls on the Holy Spirit to come and “fill this place,” and exults “The Lord mighty in battle, riding on the sky!” Producer Scotty Mearig gradually brings a full electronic orchestra in behind her, increasing the intensity and tempo of the arrangement as the emotion in her message builds. Then, as with a feeling of calm that can follow a violent story, they go a capella for the final verses.
Several of the songs that follow are enigmatic. Is Taimane singing exclusively to God about her relationship to Him? Could she also be declaring her commitment to the lover she has been waiting for for such a long time?
The first four songs are each distinct compositions, no two the same, but with similar instrumental textures — lush electronic string sections, in the first three, for example. They feel like a unified body of work even when artist and producer strip things down to just voice and piano.
That’s on the fourth song, “Love Like Fire.” Taimane’s voice and a piano are all that’s needed to bring the story arc of the first four songs to a soothing conclusion.
The fifth song, “Love So Real,” changes the mood entirely. The vibe is acoustic, with a prominent acoustic guitar and bits of hip-hop. It’s sung as a duet with her husband, Sefa Mikaele, and is clearly about the love they share. “Look at what God has done for us, there’s nothing that won’t keep us together. … We’re gon’ be alright,” they sing.
We all should be so lucky — in love and in faith!
Visit victoriataimane.wixsite.com/victoriataimane.
