‘A Wonderful Life’ for for Marty Dread

February 18, 2016

aui reggae ambassador Marty Dread's new CD, "A Wonderful Life," was released last week in time for Valentine's Day and the World Whale Day concert, featuring a compilation of his latest singles.One of our most prolific artists, Marty has completed his 18th album, featuring16 tracks with guests assisting including Steel Pulse's horn players, members of Jamaica's legendary Soul Syndicate group, Grammy Award-winning Jamaican producers Sly and Robbie, the United Kingdom's Mad Professor, reggae group Blue Riddim Band, Hawaiian chanter Lei'ohu Ryder, Taz Vegas of the Typical Hawaiians, steel ...

Cultural continuation

February 11, 2016

It's been two years since Keali'i Reichel staged a Kukahi production on Maui with his halau, and the renowned kumu hula/musician is looking forward to being back in the Castle Theater this weekend."We approach Kukahi as a platform for our halau, and we're excited," he says. "We have a grand total of 150 dancers. It's an important event to allow the dancers to experience performance after their training. We took a break (last year) and I wasn't sure if I was coming back."Big productions are a young man's game. It's a lot of organization and focus, juggling band and music and choreography ...

Solo specialty

February 4, 2016

It's pretty much guaranteed that any time Nathan Aweau releases a new album, a Hoku Hanohano Award will follow. One of Hawaii's most gifted, accomplished musicians, Aweau has been amassing awards as a solo artist since releasing his "E Apo Mai" album in 2002, which earned him Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year recognitions.In 2006, he achieved unprecedented success winning Male Vocalist of the Year for his solo recording "Hawaii Classic Series Vol. 1," Jazz Album of the Year for his CD "Bass Etude," which spotlighted his amazing bass playing, and Album of the Year and ...

UB40 Reunited at the MACC

January 28, 2016

Before heading to Hawaii, Ali Campbell and his UB40 mates have been enjoying a "Red Red Winery" tour around New Zealand."It's been great," says the singer of the band's many hits. "We've been off the beaten track in some beautiful spots. The whole tour is pretty much sold out, playing to 7,000 to 10,000 people in beautiful valleys."Original frontman Campbell, founding keyboardist Mickey Virtue and vocalist/rapper Astro are touring as UB40 Reunited. Campbell is stoked to have Astro back in the fold."It's made all the difference," he explains. "He left (UB40) for more or less the same ...

Chicago

January 21, 2016

Among the many worthy bands that have been eligible for years for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chicago was finally nominated in December. The news was a surprise for Chicago's founding trumpet player, Lee Loughnane."It's been a long time coming," he says. "We kept working and each year there would be a bit of a groundswell and uproar when we didn't get nominated. We won the popular vote with over 37 million votes, and that was very gratifying to know that many fans are still in our corner."With record sales topping 100 million, including 21 Top 10 singles, five ...

Maui on his mind: Jim Messina returns to isle that inspired

January 14, 2016

Jim Messina was so entranced the first time he visited Maui in the early 1970s that he suggested shooting the cover photo for the Loggins & Messina "Full Sail" album off Lahaina."I was on holiday and in Lahaina and I thought it was the perfect place," he recalls. "I was aboard the Flying Cloud (schooner) and I was so taken by the craftsmanship. As I was involved in creating the artwork for all the albums, we did a photo session on the Flying Cloud."Messina also celebrated our island on the duo's album with the catchy, tropical song "Lahaina." This humorous centipede tale was later ...