Search - Makaha Sons and Friends, John & Jerome Moon :: Na Pua O Hawaii

The best group in Hawai'i

Marguerite Van Ness | Illinois, USA | 04/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Makaha Sons are the best Hawai'i has to offer. Their genre is traditional Hawaiian, mostly sung in Hawaiian. Their specialty and trademark is three-part harmonies that are as smooth as silk. They have great voices individually with John Koko singing lead vocals and he plays an astounding standup bass; Jerry Koko (John's older brother) sings falsetto tenor and plays 12-string guitar and Louis "Moon" Kauakahi on 6-string guitar and the part that fills in the rest of the harmony. Their arrangements are complex and difficult with a lot of key changes that they execute flawlessly. This is one of their better CDs. The Sons have been playing music for almost 30 years with very minimal pesonnel changes. This is part of why they are so smooth.The friends that join them on this CD are Jerry Santos from Olomana, the late Dennis Pavao who sang with Hui Ohana for many years, and Nina Keali'iwahamana to name a few.There is an interesting mix of music -- some old and some new. I have every CD and vinyl album the Makaha Sons and Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau (with Israel Kamakawiwo'ole) have recorded since 1976. This CD is an excellent compilation."