Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole

Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole

"Welo" honors the ancestors but definitely has today's sound. Kaumakaiwa (Lopaka) Kanaka'ole turns 13 original new songs into the most interesting album to come out of Hawai'i this year. His creative touch blends music and chant with extraordinary new interpretations that include the sounds of a cello, snare drum and harmonica blended with the ancient musical implements of Hawai'i. He is joined by special guests Robert Cazimero, Kekuhi Kanahele, and Napua Greig. Few musicians are ever able to transfer a studio performance to a live performance with the same energy. In this case, Kaumakaiwa's dynamic force that brings audiences to their feet was captured in the studio with his musicians and channeled into this beautifully mixed CD. If you want to hear what the future of Hawaiian music holds, this CD will point you in the right direction.