Search - :: Mauka Blend

Big Music with excellent musicianship, strong emotion & hear

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 05/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded in Kona, Hawaii, "Mauka" is a family project by John Capron, his wife Rianne, 18-year-old daughter Elizabeth, and eight of their friends who live near the long sylvan ridge from the Pacific Ocean to the top of Mauna Loa. A grass roots project of original music, "Mauka" is a prolific journal of John's eclectic multi-genre songwriting with lyrics that range from provocative to humorous. We hear influences of country pop (Goin' Up Mauka), Latin (Wanting You), jazz (Autumn Waltz), blues (Technology), rock (Workin' Jerk), country (American Dream), and more. Some of Capron's most straightforward messages are found in his 'Jawaiian' tunes such as "Ho'okena" where a parent and offspring lament the passing of time with "When I was young I couldn't wait for things to change. Now that I'm older, I find changes happen while I'm nappin'." Outrigger canoeists will be able to immediately relate to "Paddle-osophy" and the exclamatory statement that "you got to give it all you got, don't hold nothing' back, people who whine don't matter, people who matter don't whine." That's what gives this album a fun and party-like atmosphere. Presumably written prior to Capron's move to Hawaii in 2001 and while working both day & night in San Francisco, "Workin' Jerk" lists many professions full of "turkeys at the bottom who keep pushin' this old world around," but John proclaims that one of these days he's going to have a decent, high-paying job and sit himself "on top of the heap and call everybody a creep."



Vocals are always front and center, and they are supplemented with plenty of flavorful instrumentation (guitar, keyboard, bass, mandolin, flute, marimba, vibes, ukelele, trumpet, drums, percussion). John sings lead on all but the two cuts that feature Rianne, a lead vocalist with several mainland jazz and funk bands. The accompaniment of Kona Lowell, Chee, Louis Pinault, Solomon Choo are especially noteworthy for their embellishment of this musical blend with broad appeal. Originating from the Big Island, this is some Big Music with excellent musicianship, strong emotion and heartfelt sentiment. John Capron & his Mauka Family Band may best state the CD's theme in the opening cut that states "With my voice I bring you this song, I will not stay too long, but I will keep you in my spirit until the mountain crumbles down." (Joe Ross)

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