Album Review of
Aloha Radio Hawaii (feat. David P Jackson , Dean Parks , Jim Kimo West & Nick Mancini)

Written by Robert Silverstein
September 25, 2020 - 3:25pm EDT
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Some of the biggest names in 21st century Hawaiian music have banded together on the 2020 CD release of Aloha: Radio Hawaii. Subtitled A Musical Journey To The Golden Age Of Hawaiian Song, the 13-track, 40-minute album features a range of musicians and some of the best guitarists around, including Ken Emerson (Hawaiian steel guitar, ukulele), Jim Kimo West (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, ukulele) and Dean Parks (electric guitar, Hawaiian steel guitar), while also featuring a wide range of supporting musicians. A lot of the album features instrumental selections with the musicians recreating classic Hawaiian favorites from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century although, vocalist Tavita Te’o does appear along with some other truly vintage sounding singers appearing as if by magic singing in native Hawaiian. Kimo explains, Yes, the label is in China, they do very good work!  Everything was recorded this past winter including the vocals. We recorded at the legendary A&M / Henson studios in Hollywood the old way - just sitting in a circle with no headphones, using vintage mics. It was mixed in 32-bit 96k Dolby Atmos in addition to regular stereo.” Recorded in L.A., the album was superbly produced by Rhymoi Records head Yunchuan Ye and the CD packaging is brilliantly designed while the studio sound, crafted by engineer Dave Way, is also noteworthy. The timeless tones of traditional Hawaiian music live on thanks to the fascinating sound of Aloha: Radio Hawaii.