APRAP WEB June 2005..

OBITUARY OBITUARY OBITUARY
PHIL FUEMANA (1964 – 2005)
A sister’s love for her brother.
Phil was a huge part of my life and life will never be the same without him.
He was such an unmaterialistic and unselfish man and was an amazing brother,
who spoilt us all – every day was Christmas when he was around. I will never
forget his kindness and generosity but more so the gift of sharing with Phil
about life in general. Phil was incredibly talented and mastered a particular
“PHAT” sound. He was an articulate man of perfection, with his unforgettable
wit and intellect. He was such a soft spoken man with a lot of respect for
people who would go the extra mile to achieve their goals, never forgetting
who they were and where they came from. FAMILY was so important to Phil
and each day he made us all feel so special. Phil sacrificed so many things
in order to do what he loved the most, and I am so grateful to all the people
who paid tribute and acknowledged my brother’s life and work. He was a big
man with a big heart who has certainly left a huge gap in our hearts. I love
him dearly and will miss him for the rest of my life.
Christina (Tin) Fuemana
I first met Phil in 1994, the year “We Are the OMC” was a finalist for the Silver
Scroll Award. Written with his brother Paul, this was the first Pacific hip hop
track to be a finalist – an early example of Phil leading the way. Phil created
fantastic music with many Pacific and Maori artists and we kept in contact
over the years through our work. He inspired and influenced so many and I
hope they will continue to fulfil his vision and dreams.
Phil - you are the true Pacifikan Pioneer and you are missed. Your friend,
Petrina George
How do I sum up how it feels to lose my dear friend Phil Fuemana. We first
met in April of ‘86, and the musical and spiritual connection was instant. I
remember long drives across the country to gigs, singing along to Luther
KARLOS QUARTER (1971 – 2005)
PHOTO: PETRINA GEORGE
Karlos was an awesome friend and fellow muso of
mine who always had a great attitude towards people
and music. He brought a lot of fun and happiness with
his personality and had a spirit that was full of life ..U
left us suddenly my friend. We all miss you heaps
bro..R.I.P..your friend... D.Kamali
Karlos Quarter Our Mate:
Karlos Quarter was an amazing person, artist, and
friend. An artist who respected others and encouraged many of us to
keep true to our art forms and ourselves. Karlos was such a positive
person thus we all wanted him around us during our tough projects.
Karlos thank you for having faith in us. Always encouraging us to move
forward and believe in ourselves. Expressing your Pasifikan beauty from
PAUL HESTER (1959 – 2005)
Vandross, Alexander O’Neal & Stevie Wonder. Talking about our favorite
records, songwriting, relationships, God, and the future. We dreamed together,
laughed together, we even cried together. Phillip loved music. He had no time
for the politics of music. He didn’t care about award ceremonies or what the
press thought. His passion was always about giving fresh young talent a legup
and making sure that they were educated about the realities and pitfalls
of the music ‘business’. He didn’t give a damn about the colour of skin. He
was & always will be my inspiration, my closest musical partner, my best friend,
my brother. He’s a beautiful man and I miss him. I look forward to meeting him
for a jam beside God’s piano on the other side. Love you Phlipsyde.
Matt Ruys
My whanau moved from
Tauranga to Akarana, myself to
be working with Phil. It all hit home
when he said to me “where you
are bro, I was 10 years ago – it’s
my responsibility to help make
your dreams reality, if I don’t... I
fail, I need to make you into Maori
version of P Money & Funkmaster HONE NGATA’S JACKET FEATURES HIS OWN ARTWORK:
A TRIBUTE TO PHIL
Flex”. Phil was producing and
mentoring me and I was helping him rediscover his Taha Maori, his Maori roots.
Phil’s recent projects included establishing his new label ‘Gifted and Maori’. With
two albums completed and the 2nd issue a double CD, Phil exposed over 25
new Maori recording artists to Te Ao Waiata - The World of Music. Many of us
will bear the fruits of his labours in future and aim to carry Aotearoa Music, Maori
Music to the next level. Gifted and Maori without a doubt.
Hone Ngata, aka DJ Poroufessor
within for others to be included and blessed. Karlos the person he was
our mate. Karlos the musician he was a visionary. Manuia le malaga.
Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua
Karlos introduced himself with an impression I will never forget “Kiaorana
sis I’m Karlos, Karlos with a K”.
A brother always down for a jam, his nature sweet and subtle like a
blanket over my soul and a warmth that covered the whole of Aotearoa.
I last saw Karlos at the Raglan Reggae Fest. We had a sweetcorn stall.
Karlos waited a whole night and day for my fry bread and because of
that I made the puffiest fry bread ever. He gave aroha and in return the
love was passed on through.
Rest in peace Karlos, we all love and miss you.
Your wairua lives on, Natrose x.
PHOTO: PETRINA GEORGE
PHOTO: TONY MOTT
At the age of 10 Paul Hester wrote in a school essay
that his musical ambitions were “to become a leading
drummer in the world and to have a successful pop
group.” He had been a drummer since the age of five;
just like the Finn brothers he was dragged out at his
parents’ parties to do an item. His style came from
skiffle, a shuffle was his favourite rhythm and his two
idols were unpretentious masters: Ringo Starr and Charlie Watts.
Paul joined Split Enz in 1983 when the band was on its last legs, and
he cheered them all up. He wrote an exuberant song about the thrill of
joining his heroes: “This is Massive”. After the last Enz tour, he travelled
the world with Neil Finn looking for a record deal, handing out a tape of
raw songs that included one called “Don’t Dream It’s Over”. They got
signed to a record label, and with bassist Nick Seymour lived in cramped
quarters in Los Angeles to make their debut album, Crowded House.
Paul Hester was known as “Hester the Jester,” the clown prince of
Crowded House. He was the one who gave the band its personality on
stage, his anarchic humour making sure they never got bogged down in
earnestness. Sitting behind the drum kit, he could take control of a concert
on a whim: a wisecrack could upset the flow just enough that the show
took on its own spontaneous energy.
Chris Bourke (Reprinted courtesy of the Sunday Star Times)
APRAP June 2005
15