From the musical legacy of Katchafire to a new generation of Māori talent, Hamilton father-and-son duo Son & Water are celebrating the release of their debut album, Still Burning.
The nine-track album, released on Friday 9 October, brings together family, whakapapa and music in a deeply personal project reflecting the creative journey of Daimond Porima-Ferguson and his father, Katchafire co-founder Jamey Ferguson.
Written by Daimond, who whakapapa to Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāti Hikairo and Ngāti Hauā, Still Burning explores the connections between identity, whānau and the musical influences passed from one generation to the next.
Alongside his father Jamey, of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Ruapani descent, Daimond is building on a musical legacy that has helped shape the sound of reggae in Aotearoa.
As a founding member of Katchafire, Jamey Ferguson played an important role in the development of one of New Zealand’s best-known reggae groups, helping bring the band’s distinctive sound to audiences at home and internationally.
Now, through Son & Water, that experience is being shared with a new generation, creating an opportunity for father and son to combine their musical backgrounds while developing their own identity as a duo.
The album represents more than a musical collaboration. It is also a celebration of whakapapa, the passing down of knowledge and the enduring influence of whānau on artistic expression.
For Daimond, the project provides an opportunity to establish his own creative voice while acknowledging the musical foundations and cultural connections that have shaped his journey.
For Jamey, it marks another chapter in a career closely connected to the growth of Aotearoa’s reggae scene.
The Waikato-based duo join Radio Waatea to discuss the making of Still Burning, the experience of creating music together as father and son, and the importance of keeping their musical and cultural heritage alive.
With nine original tracks, the album introduces audiences to the next stage of a family musical journey spanning generations.
For Son & Water, the flame of musical creativity is still burning — connecting the legacy of the past with the possibilities of the future.
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