This article was first published on October 18, 2015 and is published again because of the album’s popularity. After a 12-year hiatus, Laisa Vulakoro late last year finally emerged from the studio with her much awaited new album, Bitu Kavoro.
The 10-track compilation features her only real foray into the reggae genre, with the dancy track Vakavureya Walega.
The vude queen has been working on the much-awaited album for the past two years and understandably, she is very excited about it.
“Piracy has really discouraged a lot of us from recording an album,” explained the songstress.
“On top of that it really takes a lot of energy to do an album. This one has been in the works for some time now.”
Her last album was Koki Koka in 2003 but since then she has been involved in live gigs in Fiji and the region while helping nurture the next generation of vude stars like Savuto Vakadewavosa.
The veteran singer also had to deal with personal issues in addition to the busy live performance schedule she had in Fiji and the region.
These factors combined to prevent her from walking into a studio.
Her mix of songs in Bitu Kavoro (broken {or smashed} bamboo) has something for almost everyone.
Oilei Oileihihi is a song about broken trust with a message that women in general can relate to.
“This song basically about deceit, lies and having affairs outside of a relationship which I am sure many in Fiji can relate to,” said the long-time entertainer.
One thing about Laisa is her ability to write songs that grassroots people can gravitate to.
For instance, Bitu Kavoro has a track called Bili Bara, which is basically about wheelbarrow boys and the struggles they go through every day.
Admittedly, Laisa researches her subject matters well before penning songs, ensuring that certain dialects are not out of place.
Her song titled Lomai Veivatuloa, is a song dedicated to the people of Namosi, a sort of thank you ode sung in Cakaudrove dialect but with the obligatory manakwa (vinaka in Namosi).
Bitu Kavoro was produced at Procera Music Studio in Suva, mixed by the talented Isireli Gumatua.
Laisa’s first recording was way back in 1988, seven years after breaking on to the local scene as back-up singer with Nostradamus.
The singer began her career, playing for $40 a week at what was then the Hyatt Regency (now The Warwick Fiji), playing second fiddle to Melaia Dimuri, and performing alongside bandleader Bill Beddoes, bassist Claude Larry, guitarist Robert Verma, drummer Baba Raoma and the late saxophonist Tim Salaca.
In the second half of last year, Laisa returned from performing at a Fiji Day concert in Liverpool, Sydney for a largely Fijian audience.
The performer normally has a busy schedule and has to factor in family time as well.
Having a competent group of musicians at her behest, the Vude Vibes ensemble has been an integral part of the recording process.
‘I am very happy with the band boys, without them this album would be impossible,” added the native of Yacata Island in Cakaudrove.
ON why she keeps at it, Laisa says: “My passion for music and for singing — it’s my love and my life. I do it all from my heart.”
Already one of Laisa’s songs, the album title and number two track, Bitu Kavoro, a song about broken love, has caused some controversy in the highlands of Naitasiri.
According to Nausori-based disk jockey Bruce Tavaga, some elders from the province were concerned about certain references to their “tree of life” along with the mention of waterways like the Wanimala, Waidina and Rewa.
“I just want to apologise if I have offended my tauvu in any way. My use of bitu kavoro is purely metaphorical and I just wanted to clear any misunderstanding about this,” said Laisa.
“Our culture is dying and as a Fijian, I would work to retain our culture in any field or form. This is why I always try and maintain traditional themes, lyrics, melodies and styles in my songwriting. In saying that, brokenness is something most people can relate to.”
Towards the end of last year, Laisa was gearing up for the Savusavu Mini Music Festival which was scheduled to be held from November 26 to 27. It was promoted as an event set to bring joy to the music hungry in the Hidden Paradise. It was just another gig in the very busy schedule of one of Fiji’s most loved musicians and consummate professional entertainers.
Bitu Kavoro is now at any Procera Music outlet in Fiji.
