From African to Western influences, Toubab Krewe creates a sound all its own

January 24, 2013

Acclaimed by Newsweek magazine as one of the leading bands fusing African music and Western pop, Toubab Krewe will make its Maui debut at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Pavilion/Courtyard on Jan. 31.Based in Asheville, N.C., this innovative, instrumental band developed its unique sound after members spent time in Mali, where they lived with local tribesmen and studied native instrumentation which they adapted with American rock and folk music styles."We had an openness to musical styles from different places and West Africa became the focus," explains Toubab percussionist Luke ...

The Sound Man

January 17, 2013

Since his early days performing during the U.K.'s influential ska revival movement, reggae star Pato Banton has focused on spreading inspirational messages through songs such as "Stay Positive," "Never Give In" and "Wize Up!""This is a mission for me," says Banton. "It's like a mission for spreading positive messages. I think people need to be hearing self-empowerment messages today."Banton grew up in the English city of Birmingham, where he got his musical start working with his stepfather's reggae sound system. First coming to public attention in 1982 on the Beat's "Special Beat ...

Chicago

January 10, 2013

One of the longest running and most successful U.S. rock groups, Chicago is second only to the Beach Boys in terms of singles and albums sales.Since forming in 1967, their record sales have topped 100 million, including 21 Top 10 singles, five consecutive No. 1 albums, and five No. 1 singles.The group's many hits, from "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?," "25 or 6 to 4," and "Beginnings," to "Feelin' Stronger Every Day," "Baby What A Big Surprise" and "Wishing You Were Here" still resonate with audiences today."It's amazing how familiar people are with Chicago's music all over ...

Music highlights 2012

January 3, 2013

Besides amazing concerts, highlights of 2012 included Mick Fleetwood finally realizing his dream of opening a restaurant/club on Maui.In an interview in July, Fleetwood Mac's legendary drummer explained how he hoped to rekindle the glory days of Lahaina's entertainment scene. "This was obviously meant to be," he said. "Lahaina was buzzing (in the past) and it just isn't now. I'm hopeful that we can really do fun stuff here."And thus Fleetwood's on Front St. opened in style in late August with Aerosmith's charismatic lead vocalist, Steven Tyler, and blues great, Jonny Lang, joining Island ...