676

676 Currently Working on a Labour Of Love Project with the Kolokakala Band for the:



676 to release her first Tongan Album this Spring!



"I have been wanting to record an album like this for a long time and finally it's coming true" says Neti Taumoepeau of 676. Her first full-length Tongan album is set to be released this Spring with all proceeds from the record sales to be donated to the Tongan Red Cross. 676's Tongan album pays homage to some of the most influential and universally respected musicians and song writers from her homeland of Tonga, among them are the late Queen Salote Tupou III, Tu'imala, and many more. "It was very important for me to keep to the authentic traditional Tongan sound and lyrics while recording this album as a way to show respect for these amazing music artists who transformed Tongan music into a form of poetry and art" says Taumoepeau.



With the release of her first Tongan single "Mo'ui Honge Ifo" Taumoepeau hopes to expose a new generation of Tongans (especially those who live outside of Tonga) to the richness of Tongan music and the poetic nature of its lyrics. For Taumoepeau, who was born and raised in the United States, recording this album takes on a different level of commitment; it is both a gesture of love and pride for her Tongan roots, but also an intense wave of determination for herself, who grew up speaking mostly English, "recording this album gives me a deeper appreciation for this ancestral treasure, that we often take for granted, our Tongan language!"



676 is also working on a more mainstream, full-fledged English-language album which she plans to release later this year.



For more info on how to donate or puchase the 676 & Kolokakala Album titled: 'Unaloto Ki Pulotu' visit:



Catch 676 on more videos. www.youtube.com/676NTaumoepeau



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