4th studio album from acclaimed singer-songwriter Marlon Williams, features 14 songs written entirely in Te Reo Maori Album recorded with touring band The Yarra Benders, features Lorde and KOMMI Accompanied by feature-length documentary released in May “Ko te reo Maori, he matapihi ki te ao Maori” goes the Maori whakatauki(proverb) that has guided Aotearoa singer/songwriter Marlon Williams’(KaiTahu, Ngai Tai) fourth solo album, Te Whare Tiwekaweka. Translated, it means “The Maori language is a window to the Maori world” and expressesMarlon’s motivation behind his first te reo Maori album. “Through the process of constructing these songs,” Marlon says, “I’ve found a means of expressing my joys, sorrows and humour in a way that feels both distinctly newyet also connects me to my tipuna [ancestors] and my whenua [land, home]. ”Connection lies at the heart of Te Whare Tiwekaweka, the album’s five-year process reconnecting Marlon to family, friends and his home town of Lyttelton after a globe-trotting decade establishing his career. The album signifies another step in Marlon’s journey with his ancestral tongue, his ability in the language developing as the songs accumulated in the hours spent with close friend and co-writer, rapper KOMMI. The language unlocked both a newfound lyrical honesty and a grand sonic vision. Supported by long-time touring band The Yarra Benders, co-producer Mark Perkins (Te Whanau-a-Apanui), the He Waka Kotuia singers and featuring a collaboration with pop star Lorde, the album traverses Marlon’s familiar folk-country-bluegrass territory, while continuing his exploration of poppier waters and the inherent rhythms of Maori music. The result is a collection at once contemporary and timeless Tracklisting: SIDE A 1.E Mawehe Ana Au 2.Kei Te Marama 3.Aua Atu Ra 4.Me Uaua Ke 5.Korero Maori 6.KoTena Ua 7.Whakamaettia Mai SIDE B 8.Nga Ara Aroha 9.Huri te Whenua 10.Kuru Pounamu 11.Kahore He Manu E 12.Panaki 13. Rere Mai Nga Rau 14. Pokaia Rate Marama