VARIOUS – Aloha Got Soul – Soul, AOR and Disco in Hawaii 1979-1985 – 2LP – Yellow Vinyl

2LP – Limited Edition Yellow Vinyl

Aloha Got Soul encompasses a vibrant era of contemporary music made in Hawaii during the 1970s to the mid-1980s as jazz, rock, funk, disco and R&B co-existed alongside Hawaiian folk music.

Hawaiis identity had undergone huge change: statehood into America in 59 and the Vietnam War were the backdrop as Hawaiis youth found inspiration in a new wave of international music led initially by The Beatles and Stones and, later, by US R&B bands like Earth Wind & Fire and Tower Of Power. Garage bands flourished during the 60s and, by the 70s, live music was at its peak. Waikk was filled with clubs: The Point After, Infinitys, Hawaiian Hut, Spats and more.

For the 70s generation of artists, some came through the talent contest Home Grown and its accompanying compilation LP. Singer Nohelani Cypriano won it with her instant radio hit, Lihue. Other winning songs, like Marvin Franklins soul surfer jam Kona Winds, burned more slowly but have endured with DJs today. Many records also packed a powerful message. In 1978, Hawaiian was made the official state language and a huge movement arose to revive hula and traditional music. Steve & Teresas Kahoolawe Song longs for an island long gone: the US military had used Kahoolawe as a bombing range since Pearl Harbor. Nohelani Cypriano sang about the once sleepy town of Kailua, now a popular tourist destination: Kailua needs no high-rise with her blue skies, not for our eyes. Can you realize?

Leading Hawaiian artists like Aura, Mike Lundy and keyboardist Kirk Thompsons Lemuria took time in high quality facilities like Broad Recording Studio to make albums. Others grabbed studio time when they could: Tender Leafs Murray Compoc worked for the city bus by day and recorded an album during night sessions. Other albums were spontaneous. In 1983, Steve Maii & Teresa Bright recorded an acoustic set in just 3 hours after being invited to a studio following a gig.

For the artists of the 70s, the climate for music changed rapidly during the mid-80s as DJ culture grew and live venues shut down. Hawaiis R&B era shone brightly and relatively briefly but, despite brilliant musicians, regular gigs and LP releases, most of the music barely made it to the mainland. Thanks largely to Aloha Got Souls Roger Bong, a new interest in this fertile era of Hawaiian music has grown, culminating in this new compilation of overlooked gems. Aloha Got Soul is compiled and annotated by Bong and features rare photos and original artwork.

Tracklist:

A1 Tender Leaf – Countryside Beauty
A2 Aura – Yesterday’s Love
A3 ‘ina* – Your Light
A4 Lemuria – Get That Happy Feeling

B1 Roy & Roe – Just Don’t Come Back
B2 Hawaii – Lady Of My Heart
B3 Hal Bradbury – Call Me
B4 Mike Lundy – Love One Another

C1 Nova – I Feel Like Getting Down
C2 Nohelani Cypriano – O’Kailua
C3 Brother Noland – Kawaihae
C4 Marvin Franklin With Kimo And The Guys – Kona Winds

D1 Greenwood – Sparkle
D2 Chucky Boy Chock & Mike Kaawa With Brown Co. – Papa’A Tita
D3 Steve & Teresa – Kaho’Olawe Song
D4 Rockwell Fukino – Coast To Coast