Search - Various :: Hawaiian Slack Key Kings

Hawaiian Slack Key Kings is a sure hit compilation bringing together 15 artists who have dedicated a good part of their lives learning, performing, preserving and perpetuating the indigenous Hawaiian art form of Ki-ho alu or Slack Key Guitar. These artists include Dennis Kamakahi, Makana, David Kahiapo, Dwight Kanae, Florent Atem, Paul Togioka, Michael Kaawa, Glen Smith, Kevin & Ikaika Brown (of Maui), Albert Kaai, Bobby Moderow, Ledward Kaapana, Danny Carvalho, North Shore s Jack Johnson, and the producer of the project Milton Lau. Twelve of the tracks are original compositions while 3 tracks (Maori Brown Eyes, Sanoe, Nani Wale Lihue/Ke Honi) are classic songs from the past. This new masterpiece offers fans of Kiho alu a variety of songs from the sweet nahenahe ballads genre to foot stomping and rhythmic compositions such as Maunalua Jam . For those wanting a bit of Celtic, Makana offers Na Po o Ka La while Michael Kaawa offers some Spanish flair with Sepania Slack . David Kahiapo s Pukalani is a jazz oriented piece while Ledward Kaapana, Paul Togioka and Albert Kaai s selections are more traditional in style. Highlighting several personal pieces, Song for Allie is a composition written by Danny Carvalho for his pet cat that went to Cat Heaven after a long earthly life. Song for Erin is written by Milton Lau for his 14 year old daughter, Erin, as a celebration mele for her birthday and admission to Kamehameha Schools. Lokelani s Lullabye was a piece composed by Dwight Kanae for his young daughter Lokelani who lives in Kaneohe. Finally, friend and slack key fan Jack Johnson offers his composition entitled Better Together that was re-recorded in the studio by recording engineer and coproducer of the project Chris Lau. Better Together sums up the project quite nicely as it reflects the general feeling of all of the participants who contributed in making this cd a collection to last through time.