Various Artists
Steal Away
Panini Pua Kea
Sanoe
Hui Aloha brings together four players of the Hawaiian slack-key tradition for a lilting, reposed music that sways as gently as a palm tree s leaves. Guitarist George Kuo and Dennis Kamakahi, both of the respected Sons of .
more »Hawaii, joined Martin Pahinui for several gigs around the islands before Dennis s son began sitting in on ukulele. The combo was sweet magic, as is this album, their first recorded collection together. Made up of mostly Hawai ian standards with a few originals sprinkled throughout, Hui Aloha follows the gentle, flowing qualities of the slack-key tradition while creating a gentle vibrancy through the multiplicity of instruments. Dennis, Martin, and George trade vocals on various cuts, with Dennis s gritty, dark tone billowing luxuriously on the country-tinged Steal Away. Monterey Sunrise, composed by Kamakahi on the first morning of 1997, reflects the ebb and flow of the beach s waves in an int