Album Review: On Another Note

Sol3 Mio is possibly one of New Zealand’s finest classical music trio at the top of their game. While classical music isn’t my preferred genre I certainly can appreciate the musicianship in it, which is why I decided to take this review on.

Sol3 Mio formed in 2011. The two brothers, Pene Pati, Amitai Pati and their cousin, Moses Mackay. Pene and Amitai are operatic tenors. Moses is the baritone of the group.

On Another Note is the trio’s second album after their highly successful self titled debut album was released in 2013. It is an array of beautiful melodies and cover songs that really show the range of the trio and how well they fuse together with their tenor and baritone voices. The sixteen track album features covers of That’s Amore, a big hit for the legendary Dean Martin back in 1953.

The trio serve this song wonderfully keeping in style with the original. Elsewhere I was surprised to hear a cover of Tom Jones, Delilah and Ed Sheeran’s I See Fire. Moses’s baritone ringing through so crisp on the former making a real point of difference . Hearing someone else covering Ed Sheeran is something that I’m always apprehensive about but Sol3 Mio really do make it their own, paying homage to our Kiwi culture with the Haka chant peeking its way through in the opening.

Stand out track for me would have to be their cover of Coldplay’s Fix You. I’m not overly a huge fan, but I think everyone can appreciate something of Coldplay and this particular cover is very moving and very well done. The tone of the original is very melancholic but hearing Sol3 Mio’s version is just simply beautiful.

Overall I have a lot of time for this album. I think anyone who gave it a listen would be able to appreciate the talent that Sol3 Mio possess and where it has been taking them. To see success in any genre of music, especially in New Zealand is a great thing to see and hear and hats off to these guys. An easy listening album that I would recommend.