"Two Roots," the album by the duo Atua Blues, marks the musical encounter between Grant Haua, the Maori blues phenomenon, and David Noël, alias Feelgood Dave, lead singer of the SuperSoul Brothers.
It was through Dixiefrog Records, their shared label, that these two unique artists first crossed paths in 2022, when Grant invited David to lay his deep, soulful voice on “Please,” the first single from “Karu,” the album by singer Delayne produced by Grant Haua. What was meant to be a simple one-off soon turned into a perfect artistic connection and, eventually, an unshakable friendship—one that distance oddly enough only managed to strengthen, confirming that blues truly knows no borders.
Taking advantage of one of Grant’s French tours, the two men played a handful of concerts together, sealing the relevance of this collaborative project that would later give birth to this simply stunning album. All that remained was to gain the endorsement of their peers—something they did brilliantly in January 2025 at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, where the duo, proudly representing the Toulouse Blues Society, reached the semi-finals.
The final stage of recording the album took place remotely, the two musicians using modern technology to overcome the obstacles of borders and time zones, giving life to an acoustic project inspired by their unique roots, polished with shades of rock and soul. The record tells their personal stories, their struggles, their shared passions, and their thirst for creating original laments.
Across the album’s eleven tracks, listeners will discover a moving and very laid-back rendition of the timeless “Amazing Grace,” the radio-ready “River Blues” tinged with country, the quintessential slow blues of “I Get The Blues,” the perfect cultural fusion of Maori and Occitan traditions in an astonishing version of “My Sweet Lord,” a heartfelt homage to Delta Blues with “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul,” and finally, the environmental plea “What Have You Done,” closing the record on a committed note.
In the end, Atua Blues is a rare, precious, and sacred incarnation where the past, present, and future of the Blues collide. This atypical duo turns notes into pure emotion, making us feel them in ways that are both familiar and utterly new—as if we were hearing them for the very first time with every listen. All top notch!
Tracklist:
1. Amazing Grace (5:54)
2. River Blues (4:11)
3. Hard Lovin' Woman (3:09)
4. I Get The Blues (3:56)
5. My Sweet Lord (3:43)
6. No Competition (2:38)
7. Suck It Up (3:24)
8. Rose (3:35)
9. Who's Gonna Change My Soul (4:23)
10. Fisherman (3:18)
11. What Have We Done (4:03)
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