Kiwi

There are at least three bands called Rhombus: 1) New Zealand dub-hip-hop-soul-funk-roots-reggae act Rhombus is a collaboration between producers Simon Rycroft and Thomas Voyce and MC Imon Star (Ahmen Mahal, son of blues legend Taj Mahal). Their debut album, 2002's 'Bass Player', also features the vocal talents of MC Mana, MC Rizzla (aka Tiki from Salmonella Dub), MC Antsman, Raashi Malik, and Lotus. 2005's 'Future Reference' added vocalist Lisa Tomlins (EBB) to the ensemble. A third album is due out mid-2007.

Now arrives Jess Harlen, a taste of soul, urban roots, lyrical stylings and poetic incision. This songstress hails from the rolling hills and coastlines of New Zealand and is of Ngati Porou and Nga Puhi decent. Moving to Australia with her family at a young age, Jess spent her school years growing up in Brisbane where she began singing and was taught to play the guitar by her family. Throughout her musical upbringing, influences include blues artists such as John Lee Hooker and Nina Simone, Motown greats such as Otis Redding and Gladys Knight...

Salmonella Dub began in the summer of 1992/1993 when Andrew, Dave and Mark applied reggae rhythms and bowel stirring basstones to a handful of bad taste covers. Salmonella Dub's first show was a mixture of covers from Fred Dagg to Nancy and Lee plus some original material in the Westport Racetrack tearooms with EST on January 13th 1993. Over the course of 1993 the band with the aid of Ice Mac and his soundsystem worked the Dux de Lux and Steel Magnolia bars with percussionists Marcus Puentener and Craig Allen.

Nesian Mystik are one of the top hip hop and RnB groups in New Zealand, blending a variety of polynesian singing and rhyme styles into a unique flavour of music. They beging with a top selling single Nesian Style following up with their #1 debut album Polysaturated in 2002. In 2006 the eagerly awaited followup album Freshmen was released, continuing their Samoan, Maori, Cook Island and Tongan blend of funky, happy beats.