Reviews
The Otago Daily Times, Pulse Column, Weekend July 6-7 2002 written by Kelly Alexander:
" For the instrumental feather in our musical caps, Le Kiwi's A New World explores the terrain of ambience with a chilled-out, mystical approach to sound. Doug Thomas has created a CD which is heavily laden with every imaginable percussion instrument variation. We have cellos, oboes, harpsichords, harps, horn, strings, keyboards....you name it, Le Kiwi's got it. On the first listen, this album appears to have elevator music written all over it. However, on closer inspection the subtle elevator hues are still there, but technology and the interventions of world-class guitar playing and truly dulcet tones create a CD with a difference."
Real Groove magazine, June issue, page 56 - "Noisy Neighbours NZ Music" by Brent Cardy
" Music is often balm for increasingly stressful lives and whilst many other local releases in this genre feature either birdsong or waterfalls (or a mania for insipid keyboard noodling), Le Kiwi is something different. Looking suspiciously like a promotion for a holiday resort, A New World (Mystic Dawn) is actually promoting an equally appealing concept -- a musical spiritual holiday/journey.
From the mind and pen of Doug Thomas, a local composer and drummer (Breakaways, Underdogs and more), A New World is a 12- part instrumental cruise through nature themes and mood inspiring melodies. With much help from Manuka Studios honch Mike McCarthy (ex-Inbetweens), fellow-Underdog (and ex- Space Farmer) guitarist Harvey Mann and several Taranaki friends/guitarists, Thomas has created a relaxo-rock contemporary musical painting. Recommended."
THE DAILY NEWS Thursday, September 12, 2002 - Illness has a silver lining for songwriter
Picture monks and abbeys and you will go some way to understanding the feel of Le Kiwi's new CD, A New World.
A collection of instrumentals featuring Taranaki's finest musicians, it was penned by Waitara musician Doug Thomas, who describes the sound as ambient background music.
"It's mystic," says Doug, trying to explain the sound. "It's almost like monks and abbeys, but it's played with modern instruments. I tried to get a spiritual sound ? I call it mystic, Christian rock, but, in saying that, it's not what people would think. It's not new-age even, but I guess you could compare it to that."
The CD has been in shops for a couple of months now, and Le Kiwi is pleased with the response.
"It's been getting good reviews and airplay."
Doug is a veteran of Kiwi bands, including 70s group the Underdogs, but left the music industry to run his own wholesale audio company. It was only after a major operation and lengthy recuperation period that Doug was lured back into writing music.
"This is the first recording I have done since I was with the Underdogs. I had the importing business for 20 years, but with this illness, I had to sell up. The only thing I can do now is write music.
"But it's in my blood, I had to get back to it at some stage."
Top Taranaki guitarist Brian Hatcher lends a hand, and, as a result of A New World, has come to the attention of American specialist guitar label Guitar Nine.
"They are seeking a full CD of Brian's guitar playing, which is something we are working on now."
Joe Smither from Mad Cow and Sheldon Healey's guitar work also feature on some of the tracks.
"I asked them all to play on the album with me, and they agreed, thank goodness."
Harvey Mann, another ex-Underdog, also plays some blistering guitar on the CD.
"He has been rated as the best guitarist New Zealand has ever produced. A listen to the CD will confirm this," Doug said.
The fact the recording is not commercial is no mistake, he says.
"I see the music of the world today, and I listen to the top-20. But it's disposable and doesn't have a lot of depth to it.
"I'm not interested in writing that type of music. I'm interested in writing stuff that has a bit of soul to it."
Meanwhile, Doug is not resting on his songwriting laurels. He is recording instrumentals, and is working with Johnny Dylan on a CD.
"Ronald La Pread from the Commodores has been living in New Zealand for over 10 years now, and he features on two tracks. Larry Morris and Truda Chadwick help with backing vocals and Brian Hatcher is also on it. We're retaining most of the Le Kiwi musicians for it.
"Johnny's been writing the words, and there is an unusual flavour to the music. It's Kiwi rock with a Latin flourish."
It is suggested that writing is probably Doug's true calling, and his illness may have been a blessing in disguise.
"It probably has been. I was that ill I couldn't work. So it's definitely been for a purpose."
» listen to a selection of songs