Ardijah
Encyclopedia
History
Ardijah formed in 1979 and spent the early part of the Eighties playing the Auckland Pub and Club scene honing their skills as a covers band. They released their first single in 1986, Give Me Your Number which was followed in 1987 with Your Love Is Blind. This was Ardijah's introduction into the Music Industry where in New Zealand, their popularity was well received.1987 Ardijah was able to record their debut self-titled album after winning the Rhineck Rock Award ($30,000 towards recording cost) which was released by WEA
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
. From this album came the singles |That's the Way]]/Give Me Time and Time Makes A Wine/Jammin'
Jammin'
Jammin' is a musical comedy show on BBC Radio 2 in the United Kingdom. It is presented by Rowland Rivron, who also plays drums. In addition to Rowland, there are two regulars in the band, and two guests - usually one comedian and one musician. The two regulars are usually Dave Catlin-Birch and...
. The style of the band's sound was Funk Rock Reggae which was to changed the music climate of the New Zealand music industry, launching the band's profile as one of New Zealand's 1st R&B acts.
A re-vamp of the 1st album come out in late 1988 titled Take a Chance. From this came the singles Watchin' U/Which Way Is Up. Take a Chance held a Top 20 position on the sales charts for four months and achieved platinum status in New Zealand.
In 1990, Betty-Anne (Lead singer) and Ryan Monga (Producer, Musical Director & Bass) along with the Band moved to Sydney]], taking their sound throughout the pubs and clubs of Australia.
In 1995, after an extensive touring schedule and some worldwide success with their song titled Gimme Time on the hit New Zealand movie Once were Warriors, the band returned to New Zealand.
In 1997 Ardijah released their 2nd Album titled "Influence" on their own label "PolyFonk Productions" and was distributed in N.Z. on the "Metro Marketing" label. This was the band's small taste of "Independence".
1998 was the release of Ardijah's cover version of the Bee Gee song Love so Right which was voted the most played song on N.Z. radio that year. The sound was a mix of 'R&B and Reggae which opened the flood gates for that style in New Zealand. It also secured a "hook up" meeting for the band with the Bee Gee's themselves.
In 1999 Warner Music NZ released Ardijah 3rd album Time' was released in November. Betty-Anne went on to win Top Female Vocalist at the 1999 New Zealand Music Awards
New Zealand Music Awards
The New Zealand Music Awards show, is a major annual New Zealand music event where musical acts and singers are awarded each year. It has occurred every year since 1965 to outstanding New Zealand musicians and groups....
.
In 2004, Ardijah released their 4th album titled "Journey" on their 'Independent label "PolyFonk Prods". The Album went on to win the award for best album at the "Pacific Awards" in New Zealand.
For more history on the band Ardijah, visit their website at: www.ardijah.co.nz
Style
Ardijah call their unique style "Poly-Fonk" and refers to their blending of Polynesian sounds such as Polynesian log drums and ukelele's with FunkFunk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
and R&B. This can be heard by visiting www.ardijah.co.nz.
Band members
- Betty-Anne (Vocals, Ukulele & Percussion)
- Ryan Monga (Producer, Musical Director, Drums & Vocals)
- Rico Tali (Sax, Flute, Ukulele, Guitar & Vocals)
- Ryan "Kaitapu" Monga Jr (Bass & Vocals)
- Phil Crown (Keyboards & Vocals)
- Karl Smith (Keyboards)
former
- Jay Dee (Guitar & Vocals)
- Richie Campbell (Drums)
- James Tuiara (Lead Vocals & Percussion)
- Paul Drury (Keyboards)
- Teina Benioni (Guitar)
- Tony Nogotautama (Vocals & Guitar)
- Anthony Grey (Keyboards & Vocals)
- Adrian Grey (Bass)
- Peter Hoera (Bass)
- Brinnie Nepia (Bass)
- Simon Lynch (Keyboards)
- Daniel Waho (Sax & Vocals)
- Barbara Griffen (Keyboards & Vocals)
- Neville Schwabe (Saxophone, Flute, Trumpet & Electric Wind Instrument)
- Paul Norman (Trumpet)
- Brent Turner (Keyboards & Sax)
- Anita Schwabe (Keyboards)
- Trevor Collings (Guitar)
- Louise Hughs (Guitar)
- Kelly Kahukiwa (Sax)
- Eddie Manukau (Guitar)
- Glen Muirhead (Keyboards)
- Tim Gaze (Guitar)
- Chris Kamzelas (Guitar)
- John Carson (Drums)
- Heba Ngati (Percussion)
- Rick Robertson]] (Saxophone)
- Saylene Ulberg (Keyboards and vocals)
- Robert Wylde (Keyboards)
- Mark Steven (Keyboards)
Albums
| Date | Title | Label | Charted | Certification | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 1987 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1987.See also:Record labels established in 1987-January-February:*January 3 – Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... |
Ardijah | Warner Music New Zealand | #8 | - | |
| 1988 1988 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1988.-January-March:* January 1 – André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra plays its first concert.... |
Take a Chance | Warner Music New Zealand | #8 | - | |
| 1996 1996 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact... |
Influence | Poly Fonk productions | - | - | |
| 1999 1999 in music -Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia.... |
Time | Warner Music New Zealand | #6 | - | |
| 2004 2004 in music See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol.... |
Journey (Aere'anga) | Poly Fonk Productions | - | - | |
| 2010 2010 in music 2010 in music may refer to:*2010 in American music*2010 in Australian music*2010 in British music*2010 in Canadian music*2010 in European music *2010 in Irish music*2010 in Japanese music*2010 in New Zealand music... |
Best Of Polyfunk | Poly Fonk Productions | #11 | - | |
Singles
| Year | Single | Album | Charted | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "Give Me Your Number" | Take A Chance | #15 (NZ) | - |
| 1986 | "Your Love Is Blind" | #14 (NZ) | - | |
| 1987 | "That's the Way" | Take A Chance | #32 (NZ) | - |
| 1987 | "Gimme Time" | Take A Chance | - | - |
| 1987 | "Time Makes A Wine" | Take A Chance Time |
#41 (NZ) | - |
| 1987 | "Jammin'" | Take A Chance | - | - |
| 1988 | "Watchin' U" | Take A Chance | #3 (NZ) | Gold (NZ) |
| 1989 | "Which Way Is Up" | Take A Chance | - | - |
| 1989 | "Take Me" | #12 (NZ) | - | |
| "Thru The Time Door" | Influence | - | - | |
| 1999 | "Love So Right Love So Right "Love So Right" is a R&B/pop ballad by the musical group the Bee Gees in 1976. It was the first Bee Gees single to feature Barry's falsetto exclusively as the lead vocal... " |
Time | - | - |
| "Silly Love Songs" | Time | #1 (NZ) | - | |
| 1999 | "Do 2 You" | Take A Chance Time |
#7 (NZ) | - |
| 2003 | "Moonlighting" | Journey (Aere'anga) | - | - |