Forged amid pandemic, Maui band’s ‘Great Disruption’ fits the times

Kanekoa to hold album release party at ProArts Playhouse

Performing for 25 years, what they describe as "ukulele-powered Hawaiian jam-rock," Kanekoa has triumphed with their latest recording, "Songs From the Great Disruption," easily one of the best albums ever released by a Maui band.

The impressive recording distills what has made them unique in terms of their versatility and virtuosity. And it's what attracted so many acclaimed artists to contribute to the project.

The remarkable range of guests on various tracks include George Kahumoku Jr., Amy Hanaiali'i, Jake Shimabukuro, John Cruz, Eric Gilliom, Tavana, G. Love, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Geri Valdriz and Los Lobos' Steve Berlin, who served as producer, and played keyboards and saxophone.

"All these people wanted to share their mana with this project," Kaulana Kanekoa explained.

Comprising Kanekoa on lead vocals and ukulele, Vince Esquire on lead ukulele and backing vocals, Don Lopez on bass and Travis Rice on cajon percussion, the group will perform on Saturday at a CD release party at ProArts Playhouse in Kihei.

While it's not unusual to hear some weaker tracks on albums, even by established stars, every track on Kanekoa's latest is a knockout. As Grammy-nominated musician G. Love notes in their press release: "These homegrown jams are Hawaiian style roots music at its best."

Reflecting a diverse array of influences, the opening "Lightest Load" has a sunny Grateful Dead vibe. The funky cumbia groove of "Don't Let Go" is enhanced by the addition of Cruz on vocals, Berlin on sax and some deft uke interplay between by Esquire and Kanekoa, while the soulful "Morning Sun" with G. Love recalls the smooth R&B of Marvin Gaye.

"We just wanted to present a real good piece of music, and we all felt it was strong," Kanekoa said. "The idea of 'The Great Disruption' was a way to present what we're doing right now. The songs appeal to all the things that are happening right now."

Compiled on Maui during the COVID pandemic, the album title aptly fit the time, the musicians felt.

"It was all pretty disruptive," noted Lopez. "Everything was disrupted, and of course, the Great Depression kind of gave me the appeal of the Great Disruption."

During this period when live gigs disappeared, all the guest artists were happy to offer their services.

"They were out of work," Rice said. "Nobody was doing anything, including us."

Known as one of the premier jam band producers in America, Los Lobos' Berlin was a major bonus to have on board. "Their peaceful and gorgeous songs are uniquely suited for these unsettling times," Berlin summed up the project.

Quite remarkably, the production duties were all carried out remotely over Zoom from the Mainland.

"We did a show opening for Los Lobos at the MACC in 2015, and things just flourished from there," Kanekoa explained of Berlin's involvement. "The relationship was super cool, and he wants to keep working with us."

Reflecting the band's eclecticism, the album includes striking covers of rock and Hawaiian classics -- Led Zeppelin's "Going to California" and Kumu Hula Hewett's "Aloha Ka Leo O Kahi Manu."

The epic version of the Zeppelin track features Esquire and Shimabukuro trading sparkling lead electric ukulele solos and vocalist Kanekoa evoking the spirit of Robert Plant.

"It was kind of surreal to play together," Esquire marveled. "As a fan and having idolized Jake since I was a little kid and practicing many hours to Pure Hearts records, it came full circle to playing together, and it gave him a platform to step out into the jam world."

The album's pièce de rèsistance closes "Disruption" with a majestic, three-track suite based around Kumu Hewitt's song. Opening with a brief voicemail of Hewett explaining the song's meaning, it closes with the revered kumu speaking in a poetic, oratory traditional Hawaiian style, thanking the group for loving his song, accompanied by gentle instrumental backing and the soft lapping of waves.

In between the musicians deliver a superb, sublime rendering of the song embellished by Hanaiali'i and Gilliom on backing vocals, Kahumoku Jr. on slack key guitar and Valdriz on steel guitar.

"I grew up with an album he made in the late '70s, 'Makalapua 'Oe,' " Kanekoa explained of the song choice. "John Cruz made a hit out of his song 'Ka Wai Lehua,' and I always thought 'Aloha Ka Leo O Kahi Manu' on the album could be recorded. Years later we recorded a live version and put it on YouTube and Frank Hewett saw it and commented he was flattered. He was totally down to give us permission and he wanted to be part of the song."

"It's an authentically beautiful song," added Rice. "It has all these different associations of Hawaiian music with the 1930s steel guitar, the ukuleles, Eric Gilliom doing a kind of Hapa steel string, Uncle George on slack key and Amy singing on top of it. It's all in one song. It's pretty awesome."

Kanekoa won a Na Hoku Hanohano Award in 2017 for their album "Tales of the Fruit Stand Mystic." With "Songs From the Great Disruption," this exceptional Maui band will likely be another winner.

Kanekoa performs at the ProArts Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $40, available at www.proartsmaui.com. They will begin a monthly "Kanekoa Experience" series at the Playhouse starting April 3 through July. Kanekoa will also appear at the Maui Coffee Attic at 6 p.m. March 19, and will headline Imua Family Services' Color Festival at the MACC on April 30.