'Ale'a
- Kaulupono
It was in 1997 that 'Ale'a
first burst on to the music scene, a business to which many
are called, but few achieve lasting stardom. Would they be another
shooting star flashing brilliance and capturing hearts before
melting into the night sky? In this industry the tests are many
and only the fittest survive.
' Ale' a
sailed through tests of talent and artistry. Their first two
albums, Take Me Home and Kinohi
/ Origins proved worthy of the accolades of critics
and popularity of fans, earning between them fifteen Na Hoku
Hanohano (the Grammy Awards of Hawaiian music) nominations and
five awards.
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TRACK
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1.
He Ala Kamaha'o i ka Lewa
2.
E Kiss Kaua
3.
Halalu
4.
Ka Lehua Punono
5. Kekahao'iolani
6. Ka Ua Loku / Hanohano Hanalei
7. The Best of My Love
8. She’s Every Woman
9. Ka Hana ia a ke Aloha
10.
He Mele no ka Pipi Palupalu
11. Hapa Haole Medley
(Hawaiian Souvenirs/Hawai'i
Calls/Straight From Hawai'i
to You)
12. Hula o Makee
13. Ka Beauty a'o
Uka
14. Long as I Can See the Light
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Perhaps
the stiffest test has been of time itself. It takes perseverance
and endurance to stay the course. Fame, responsive fans, industry
recognition, even getting paid to do what you love seldom
offer a lasting source of motivation. The allure must also
be deeply meaningful. For 'Ale'a, it is to grow in a way that
is right…Kaulupono. And so
these three young Hawaiian men continue their journey on the
path of personal enlightenment and professional development.
In
this third album selections reflect the respect they have
for the great Hawaiian composers of the past Charles E. King,
Alfred Alohikea, and more recently Dennis Kamakahi and Frank
Hewett. 'Ale'a also worked with master Hawaiian performing
artists Keali‘i Reichel, Nina Keali‘iwahamana
and slack key virtuoso Makana in wonderful collaborations.
Collaborations with mentors and masters, as well as the mounting
experiences of their lives have proven inspirational. Five
new Hawaiian compositions make their debut including the opening
'oli (chant) providing a vivid account of the sun’s
travels across the heavens, weaving the lei of our islands.
The recording was captured at Kumukahi, eastern most point
of Hawai'i, at dawn’s first light. The CD concludes
with the sound of waves as the sun sets on Hawai‘i at
the western most beach of Polihale.
As with their prior recordings, 'Ale'a’s interests bridge
cultural boundaries. Their renditions of “The Best of
My Love,” signature song of the Eagles, John Fogerty’s
“Long As I Can See the Light” and Garth Brooks’
“She’s Every Woman” enhance the universal
appeal of 'Ale'a’s music.
Kaulupono sparkles with beautiful
melodies, fresh and expressive new compositions and establishes
'Ale'a as one of Hawai‘i’s preeminent recording
group. |
