Various Artists – Aloha Radio Hawaii, a Musical Journey to the Golden Age of Hawaiian Song (Rhymoi Music, 2020)
This album features new performances of thirteen songs handpicked by Chinese producer Ye Yuchuan from the masterworks of traditional Hawaiian and Hapa haole music. The songs date back to the late 19th century up to the middle of the 20th century.
Hawaiian music experienced a hybridization process by combining traditional Hawaiian elements with American popular music. This melting pot also applied to musical instruments as well. The Portuguese introduced a small guitar called cavaquinho that became the ukulele (also spelled ukelele) in Hawaii. They also introduced the guitar and the guitar was transformed in Hawaii as well. The Hawaiian steel guitar was developed by Joseph Kekuku in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is played horizontally on the lap, with a bar or slide called a steel (normally made of metal, but also of glass or other materials) allowing the player to play wide sweeps and slides throughout the entire range of the instrument.
Ye Yuchuan and Grammy award-winning American sound engineer Dave Way put together a group of veteran Hawaiian music players, who brought with them to the studio dozens of irreplaceable antique guitars of various shapes and sounds, as well as other vintage instruments. They also invited the exquisite singer Tavita Te’o. This exceptional ensemble recorded superb performances of songs from the Golden Age of Hawaiian music.
The result is an outstanding set of memorable jazz swing-influenced Hawaiian songs with a retro feel using today’s cutting edge recording technology.
The lineup includes Ken Emerson on Hawaiian steel guitar and ukulele; Dean Parks on electric and acoustic guitar, ukulele, Hawaiian steel guitar, clarinet and saxophone; Jim Kimo West on electric and acoustic guitar and ukulele; Aubrey Richmond on violin; Nick Mancini on vibraphone; Tavita Te’o on vocals; David P. Jackson on bass; and James Cruce on percussion.
The physical version of the album comes in a hard cover book format with liner notes in English and Chinese.
Buy Aloha Radio Hawaii, a Musical Journey to the Golden Age of Hawaiian Song
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.