THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE REGGAE QUESTIONNAIRE: Fiji

He's called Fiji because he comes from . . . err, Hawaii actually.

George Veikoso aka reggae/r'n'b man Fiji -- who is of Fijian heritage -- has been a regular touring artist around the Pacific Rim, has released a swag of albums in the past two decades (see here), and is an advocate for the specifically Pacific sound.

"If you’re going to be a Pacific Islander artist,” he says, “represent your culture as much as possible regardless of the style of music. It’s important to put your signature on it."

He's back in New Zealand to play the Raggamuffin Festival so it is time to flick the Famous Elsewhere Reggae Questionnaire to the big man with the gentle voice . . .

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

Killing Me Softly – Roberta Flack: I was very young and visiting a radio station and it was playing

Your first role models in music were . . .

Stevie Wonder, lots of church music and Andraé Crouch

Lennon or Jagger, Burning Spear or Bob Marley, dancehall or raggamuffin, Michael Jackson or Jay-Z

Lennon, Bob Marley, raggamuffin, Michael Jackson

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

something I wouldn’t want to talk about

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . .

Ribbon in the Sky, Wonderful World and Redemption Song

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

Can’t think of anything – just lots and lots of records

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

Miles Davis – I would sing ‘Wonderful World’ and he would play trumpet

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

Godfather I and II and Scarface

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

I can’t remember when I last bought a CD or vinyl. I download a lot and latest downloads have been Aaradhna and Sammy J’s albums

One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you would be . . .

Ribbon in the Sky

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

Olivia Newton-John

You are allowed just one reggae box set, and it is . . .

Buffalo Soldier

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

Only two places I love the most – Hawai’i and Fiji and I’d spend my time on the beach and having BBQs with my loved ones

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

Every album reflects where I’m at right at that time of my life