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NEW HAWAIIAN MUSIC & REVIEWS
By Aloha JOE®
(All of these albums have been added to our station rotation)
as of 03/05/08

• OLDER REVIEWS!

• STEVEN ESPANIOLA - Ho'omaka
  This is Steven's first solo release and it's SO GOOD that I put all the cuts in rotation.  That hasn't happened in a long time! (website) www.stevenespaniola.com - Buy the album from AMI
   

• JOHN KEAWE - Beautiful Hula Dancer
  John Keawe is one of the most talented gentleman we know.  His work, on this album, is outstanding. 
  Add this one to your collection FOR SURE!  www.johnkeawe.com
  
  

  NATHAN AWEAU - The Hawaii Classic Series V2
  
  Nathan presents a collection of hulas that will make any dancer want to dance www.nathanaweau.com
  
  KOHALA - Deeper Blue
  The gentleman of Kohala have created another winner!  If you like the gentle sounds of the guitar flavored with just a bit of rhythm, this is what you've been looking for!  www.palmrecords.com
   

•   NA KAMA III - Kamakolu
  If you like the traditional sound of island music, you will LOVE this album! www.na-kama.com
   

•   ALOHA FROM HAWAII - Greg & Junko Mac Donald
  Greg & Junko present an all-instrumental album of 15 island favorites played on STEEL DRUMS! (There's ukulele, steel guitar, bass & guitar too) It's a terrific work!  www.cdbaby.com/gregmacdonald
   

•   BRITTNI PAIVA  - "HEAR..."
  Brittni Paiva's second album, "Hear..." combines both island and non-island selections. She won a Na Hoku Hanohano award as "most promising artist" for her first album, and will be in contention for "Instrumental album of the Year" for this release.  Ms. Paiva (now 17), began recording 2 years ago but has had a fascination with Ukulele, Bass & Slack Key guitar for many years. She plays all three instruments on this album. (using multi-tracking). You'll love her interpretations of the island classics, Akaka Falls & Opihi Moemoe.  Brittni wrote several tunes on the album and finishes with her first vocal. She sings "E Lohea Mai" (which means "hear...")
  in both Hawaiian and Hebrew. The album just touches the surface of this young lady's talent.
  Look for many more albums and awards in the future from Brittni Paiva!
  Aloha JOE®  www.brittnipaiva.com
  
   

• JASMINE TRIAS
  Jasmine Trias’s long-awaited self-titled debut album, “Jasmine Trias,” was released nationwide on July 12, 2005.  If the name sounds familiar, it is because she appeared on Fox TV’s American Idol.  While on the top-rated Fox show, the Hawaii-born Trias joined Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo to finish in the top 3.  Although it has taken Jasmine a while to get her songs and arrangements together, IT WAS CERTAINLY WORTH THE WAIT!  (read full review)
   

• RAIN DROPS - Ozzie Kotani - Produced by Daniel Ho - www.danielho.com - Ozzie Kotani is one of the most proficient slack key players on Hawaii's music scene.  If you're a slack key fan, add this album to your collection, you'll truly enjoy Ozzie's performances.
   
• OUR FIRE - Round & Round - Great sounds from 3 very talented Island guys!  Very inventive group with a "hit sound." The more we play them, the more requests they receive.  Order DIRECT from the group..you'll enjoy the "sounds" Visit their website.  www.roundnroundband.com <It's in rotation>ALOHA JOE®
   
• Ho'omalei - Ray Sowders with Shawn Ishimoto - Ki Ho'alu Dreams - www.raysowders.com
  Ho'omalei is a well-balanced collection of island mele (songs).  Ray's voice, on this, his second album, is mellow and strong.  Shawn is heard on backup vocals, and a wide-variety of instruments.  Bobby Ingano's steel guitar rounds out the mix on this album.  <It's in rotation> ALOHA JOE®
   
• DANGEROUS - Keahiwai - 808e Productions - www.keahiwai.com
  The girls are in great form with this new release.  It's well balanced and will top the charts VERY SOON..
  If not already !! ALOHA JOE®
   
• SOME CALL IT ALOHA...DON'T TELL - The Brother's Cazimero - Mountain Apple Company
  Another winner from the CAZ - almost every song is in our station's rotation.  I'm sure you'll hear them.
  This album was a GRAMMY NOMINEE! ALOHA JOE®
   
• MAGIC BESIDE THE SEA - Paul Shimomoto - Hula Records www.hularecords.com
  This is the first album from the winner of the Hapa Haole Festival's vocal competition. 
  It contains many of our listener's favorites. ALOHA JOE®
   
• HULA - Big Island Style - Palm Records - www.palmrecords.com
  Palm Records has produced a delightful mix of traditional and contemporary island hulas, that combine the talents of some award-winning Big Island artists. The collection of "NEW RECORDINGS" is produced by "Grammy Award" winner, Charles Michael Brotman, and has the "right stuff" to keep hula fans smiling and dancing.
  ALOHA JOE®
   
• HULA JAZZ - Owana Salazar
  Have you bee trying to add a GREAT album for your Hawaiian music collection?  I found it!  It's HULA JAZZ!  Owana Salazar picked some great island standards that have been just begging to be put to a jazz/swing beat.  "Kaulana O Hilo Hanakahi,"  "I'll Weave A Lei of Stars for You," "Kainoa," and on and on.  The steel players are tops in Island music.  Alan Akaka, Casey Olsen, Greg Sardinha and Ms. Salazar put the right hula touches to "HULA JAZZ"  ALOHA JOE®
   
• COOL ELEVATION - Ho'okena
  Ho'okena continues its long line of first-class albums with "Cool Elevation."
  This is some of their best work to date. <We haveCool Elevation in our store> GRAMMY NOMINEE ALOHA JOE®
   
• UKULELE BREEZE - Herb Ohta, Jr.
  Herb Ohta Jr's new release will put smiles on ukulele fans worldwide.
  "Ukulele Breeze" has a wide-variety of musical styles (rumba, samba, island contemporary, etc).  This is very enjoyable WORLD-CLASS music! Aloha JOE®
   
• ISLAND STYLE - Various Artists - www.palmrecords.com
  ISLAND STYLE contains a great mixture of island talent and songs. 
  The overall outlook for this release is bright and sunny. 
  This will be one of Palm Records biggest sellers. (full review below)
   
• KEALI'I REICHEL - Ke`alaokamaile
  This is a touching collection of material that can best be appreciated when one reads the accompanying
  liner notes...Just know, it's another "chart-topper" from KR. 
  We have the album in our BIG STORE - take a look - you will love EVERY TRACK! GRAMMY NOMINEE ALOHA JOE®
  http://www.spun.com/music/product-detail.jsp?id=2207701
   
• HERB OHTA - Rainforest - Herb Ohta
  Sensational jazz inspired melodies from the smoooothest ukulele player around....
  We LOVE this album and think you will too.  ALOHA JOE®
   
• KU'UIPO KUMUKAHI - Ho`ulu`ulu
  A fifteen-song collection featuring the "classic sound" we've come to associate with
  former "Female Vocalist of the Year," Ku'uipo Kumukahi.  She is in GREAT FORM! ALOHA JOE®
   
• SLACK KEY GUITAR V2 - GRAMMY AWARD WINNER - Various Artists - Palm Records
  ....It's like having front-row seats at an island Slack Key Festival.  <full review> ALOHA JOE®
   
• NA KAMA - Come and See...Hawaii
  COME and SEE ....HAWAI'I is one of the best NEW albums to come from the Islands in a LONG, LONG TIME!
   ALOHA JOE®
   
• KOHALA - COOL BREEZE - Once again, gentle guitars from the Big Island take us on a mesmerizing journey. Kevin Teves, Charles Michael Brotman & Charles Recaido, who perform as KOHALA, present an impressive collection of mele (songs) that carry the listener to a place where you do feel the cool island breezes. This is the sixth release for these talented Big Island artists who continue to amaze us with their, sensitivity, inventiveness and magical sounds. To see all of the KOHALA releases visit - PALM RECORDS WEBSITE -
  When you visit, tell them Aloha JOE® told you to drop by. ALOHA JOE®
   
• THE GIFT OF MUSIC - From Father to Son -Dennis Kamakahi with David Kamakahi on Ukulele. A remarkable work from two of Hawaii's great treasures - The Kamakahis.
  There are ten Island classics, each introduced with a narrative that gives you a bit of historical insight into the song. AVAILABLE ON-LINE - www.denniskamakahiproductions.com ALOHA JOE®
   
• MARTIN PAHINUI - Ho'olohe (Listen)
  This album stems from the "LIVE" slack key tour featuring Aaron Mahi, George Kuo and the ever-popular Martin Pahinui. This is another sensational Dancing Cat Records Production. AVAILABLE ON-LINE www.dancingcat.com
   
• MOHALA HOU - Music for the Hawaiian Renaissance - Keola Beamer
  Keola Beamer has, once again, released another "winner." Mahala Hou is a collection of contemporary and traditional mele (songs), each with the "distinct Keola touch." He's a master, that's for sure. AVAILABLE ON-LINE www.kbeamer.com ALOHA JOE®
   
• OFFSHORE - Sam Keli'iho'omalu - Hula Records
  If you're a fan of Hawaiian Falsetto singing (leo ki'iki'e) you will truly enjoy this Hula Records release. In this, Sam's second album, we are treated to twelve selections that showcase his soaring voice.. AVAILABLE ON-LINE www.hularecords.com ALOHA JOE®
   
• THE LEGENDARY RAY KANE - Old Style Slack Key
  Slack Key Guitar fans worldwide are smiling because Hana Ola Records and Dancing Cat's George Winston got together to release eighteen past recordings of Ray Kane. Ray's playing style on this re-release from the late 1950s or early 1960s is real "old time" sound of the slack key guitar. AVAILABLE ON-LINE www.cordinternational.com ALOHA JO
  
• JOHN KAMEAALOHA ALMEDIA - 1897 - 1985  - This musical masterwork is the latest offering from Hawaiian music historian Harry B. Soria, Jr. and Hana Ola Records.  (read full review

Jasmine Trias’s long-awaited self-titled debut album, “Jasmine Trias,” was released nationwide on July 12, 2005.  If the name sounds familiar, it is because she appeared on Fox TV’s American Idol.  While on the top-rated Fox show, the Hawaii-born Trias joined Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo to finish in the top 3.  Although it has taken Jasmine a while to get her songs and arrangements together,
IT WAS CERTAINLY WORTH THE WAIT!
Jasmine was admittedly excited when she called into Aloha Radio’s Daily Show from Honolulu on release day!  After hearing the album I know why…it’s GREAT!!  What will you find there?  Jasmine brings us a 14-song mixture of Pop, R&B, and light urban Hip-Hop which will fit into
the rotation of every station that plays these genres. 
The Aloha Radio Network® gives all island artists the opportunity to be heard worldwide whether they perform traditional Hawaiian music, pop, country, jazz, or other styles.  We think you’ll really enjoy this album from Hawaii’s American Idol, Jasmine TriasTo learn more about Jasmine, visit www.jasminetrias.net – To purchase the album www.islandergroup.com

ISLAND STYLE - Palm Records - www.palmrecords.com
I received a nice surprise from the Big Island of Hawaii, Palm Records' new compilation album, ISLAND STYLE.  The 12-track collection presents a wide variety of island tunes by some of Hawaii's best-known artists.  Island friends, the Cruz `Ohana, are well represented.  Ernie, John & Desiree Cruz (in her "premier performance") each favor us with a tune.  Also included are selections by The Mana'o Company, Bryan Kessler, Randy Lorenzo, Lorna Lim, Pomai (another "new" solo performance), Alan Thomas, RJ Kaneao, Robi Kahakalau and the very talented composer and musician, Charles Brotman.

ISLAND STYLE contains a well-balanced mix of island talent and songs. 
The overall outlook for this release is bright and sunny. 
This will be one of Palm Records biggest sellers.

Island Style, and all Palm Records releases, featuring such talents as KOHALA, are in daily rotation on our Aloha Radio Network.  All of their albums are well conceived and attractively presented by Art Director, Jody Brotman.  Visit their website to see their entire on-line catalog. www.palmrecords.com   Aloha JOE®

SLACK KEY GUITAR Volume 2 - Palm Records
A compilation of ten island artists
The slack key guitar's roots can be traced back to the early days of the Hawaiian Cowboys.  (the Paniolo).  In the past ten years, this musical form has moved from the "backyard" to concert halls around the world. The slack key guitar is a solo instrument played with the virtuosity of any concert performance.

There are many "slack key festivals" in Hawaii that showcase a variety of artists during one program, but concert promoters around the world can't afford to present ten island performers on one show.
That's where SLACK KEY GUITAR V2 from Palm Records comes in handy. 
It's like having front-row seats at an island Slack Key Festival. 

Fans of slack key turn to the many instructional books and videos which teach the concept of tuning the guitar and explain the basics of playing, but to really learn, you need to listen to a wide variety of styles.  Producer Charles Brotman corralled ten of Hawaii's slack key artisans to present a cross section of musical styles. These range from traditional to more contemporary treatments.
Sonny Lim, Ken Emerson, Keoki Kahumoku and Charles Brotman do a pair of tunes each and Bryan Kessler, Randy Lorenzo, Jeff Peterson, Charlie Recaido, John Cruz and John Keawe each favor us with a selection.

I'm glad Big Island company, Palm Records, decided that the world NEEDS another album of guitar music because Slack Key Guitar Volume 2 is a perfect learning tool and a wonderful addition to your Slack Key collection.
Remember, you can listen and pretend you're attending a concert featuring ten of Hawaii's best. If you would like to know more...visit PALM RECORDS website...tell them I sent you...Aloha JOE®

This masterwork is the latest offering from Hawaiian music historian 
Harry B. Soria, Jr. and Hana Ola Records. The album spotlights the musical genius of John K. Almeida by presenting 22 performances and 21 original compositions. The well-written liner notes present an extensive "family history" and chronicle the professional career of "Hawaii's Blind Musician." 
John Almeida picked up the ukulele at age 4 and during his 87 years on Earth, he mastered that instrument, the mandolin, guitar, steel guitar, violin, banjo, bass, saxophone, piano and composed over 200 Hawaiian language compositions. The song list is familiar and impressive - Lei Hinahina, Holoholo Ka'a, Noho Paipai, Kanaka Waiwai, Kiss Me Love, and on, and on.....
Mahalo to Harry B. Soria and Hana Ola Records 
for putting together this musical time capsule which preserves 
an era that should never be forgotten. 
Available at CORD INTERNATIONAL -www.booklineshawaii.com a
nd fine music stores, everywhere! Aloha JOE®