Karu by Delayne

released February 3, 2023

1 – Beetlejuice (Grant Haua) – 4’12
2 – Karu (Traditional - Rob Paterson) – 3’54
3 – Little By Little (Gordon Mills) – 3’46
4 – Billie Holiday (Grant Haua) – 3’29
5 – Small Change / Pai Take (Huinga Cossie – Māori translations by DeLayne Ututaonga) – 4’21
6 – Please (Grant Haua) – 3’56
7 – Shame On You (Grant Haua) – 3’52
8 – The Burn (Grant Haua) – 4’03
9 – To Be Loved (Grant Haua - Māori translations by Aramahou Ririnui) – 3’36
10 – Payin’ Dues (Grant Haua) – 5’13


Recorded and mixed by Tim Julian at The Colour Field Recording Studio (Tauranga - New Zealand)
Mastering by Jeff Ferrand at WooDBox Mastering Studio
Produced by Grant Haua and Tim Julian
Executive Producers : François Maincent and André Brodzki
Photos : Philip Ducap
Layout : Bruno Boussard

Musicians :
DeLayne Ututaonga : Vocals
Grant Haua : Guitars, Vocals (4)
Tim Julian : Keyboards, Bass (3,5), Guitar (4,6,8,10), Percussion (7,8)
James Bos : Drums (1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10)
Joe Julian : Drums (5)
Brian Franks : Bass (1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10)
David “Nono” Noël : Vocals (6)
Rewa Ututaonga : Backing Vocals (2,3,5,7,8)

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Ko wai au? Who am I?

Ko Ngongotahā te Maunga Ngongotahā my mountain
Ko Utuhina te Awa Utuhina my river
Ko Te Arawa te Waka Te Arawa my canoe
Ko Ngāti Whakaue te Iwi Ngāti Whakaue my people
Te Roro o te Rangi te Hapū Te Roro my lineage
Ko DeLayne Ututaonga tōku ingoa My name is DeLayne

Tēnā ra koutou katoa, nau mai haere mai ki taku pukaemi Karu

Greetings to you all and welcome to my album Karu

Traditionally performed before embarking out to sea, the ancient Māori chant came to me at a pivotal time during this album. For me, it's best meaning is “though the journey may be turbulent, cast my fears and keep faith for a joyous and prosperous delivery”.

KARU is dedicated to my late Uncle Steve Ututaonga. Time is but a fleeting moment….

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Special thanks to my brilliant big brother Grant Haua, chur my bro. My band Grant Haua MD and guitars, Rewa Ututaonga on BV's, Brian Franks on Bass, James Boss & Joe on Drums and Tim Julian on Keys and sound at The Colour Field Recording Studio. Thanks guys for pushing through to make this happen on time.

Special loves to my family, Mum, Tony & Dad just for everything. Mick, Rewa & Kara Ututaonga for your constant loving examples of family and professional support. My five brothers and lil sis who I miss. My fantastic kids Levi, Shakeera, D`Layni and D'Empress and my G-babies Huia-Lee, Keera-Lee & Aurora-Ataahua, my life source and driving force, ka nui te aroha i ngā wā katoa.

To the wonderful Dixiefrog family : André Brodzki & Frédérique, François Maincent, Tara Nicolas, Charlotte Le Gal, Bruno Labati and my twin Sophie Louvet for bringing me to experience the European stage and taste the exceptional Blues scene at Cognac Blues Passions and Cahors Blues Festival. Thank you for adopting my Māori flavor into the mix. Mister David “Nono” Noël @ Super Soul Brothers for coming in to bring that wonderful song to life. Sister girl Kaz Hawkins for your fabulousness and sweet inspiration. Mister Neal Black & Ms Magali just for being super cool, and Mister Johnny Gallagher for just being Irish, nothing to lose. Lastly David Kilhofer, Camille Groh and Christian Montemagni @MusicForEver for your dedication and touring expertise. Enchantée de vous rencontrer tous xo

Kia ora in advance to my new friends and fans for allowing me to navigate my way around this new chapter of reinvention and creativity, to bring you an authentic, exotic and original ME.

Blessed oh Lord for all you do in my incredible life. Ngā mihi maioha!... Dx