Food for the Soul - Shaun Reyes
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Food for the Soul
The 411
Shaun Reyes has taken his years of experience with the group Kani Makou and all that he’s learned from friends in the business, such as Herb Ohta Jr., and created his first solo album, Food for the Soul, which releases next week.
After two CD releases with Kani Makou, Easy Stylin in 2003 and Cool State of Mind in 2005, Reyes decided to take a different direction with his music. Instead of the Jawaiian, Island beats commonly associated with Kani Makou, Reyes’new solo album is almost entirely ukulele instrumental with a few originals and vocal tracks included.
“It’s a mix of folk, contemporary and a couple of Hawaiian songs,“says Reyes, a 1998 Kaiser High School grad who is currently pursuing a music degree at UH-Manoa. “I grew up with this kind of music, so for me I just needed to stretch out and do something different.”
The album features an impressive lineup of guest musicians and singers, some old friends and some new, including Maila and Kanoe Gibson, Herb Ohta Jr., Vernon Sakata and Nathan Aweau.
“I am proud about the people I got to work with, and that I actually did a lot of this album on my own,” adds Reyes.“I produced the album on my own, and I was very involved with writing, arranging and recording.”
The album’s songlist includes: Kawika, On and On, Bubble Tune, Zannora, No Ke Ano Ahiahi, Hi’ilawe, Nathan’s Song, Turn Your Lights Down Low, Liani, Into the Mystic, Guava Jam and You Don’t Know Me.
“This album is more of a stepping stone to go bigger, and it’s like a sampling of what I can do musically,” says Reyes. “After this album, I hope to do a vocal album.”
And since Kani Makou is officially on a “long vacation,” Reyes has all his time not spent at his occupation as a fire-fighter to focus on his personal music project.
Also in the plans are some ukulele workshops on the Mainland and taking his music overseas, possibly to Japan. Fans here can check out Reyes at the Cheesecake Factory Oct. 7 and 14.
For a complete listing of upcoming performances or more information about Reyes, visit www.myspace.com/shaunreyes
Oshen
Tuning In
The seventh annual Mai Tai Rumble, Hawaii’s biggest and most popular live band competition, is back at Ala Moana Center’s Mai Tai Bar with top amateur and professional bands competing for more than $28,000 in cash and prizes.
“It amazes me every year because it gets bigger and more popular,“says Francine Cekada, general manager of Mai Tai Bar.“By midway through the competition, people are lining up outside.”
The two-part competition (Island Music and Open Mic) has produced bands such as Epic Session, Hot Rain, Off Nite, All Natro, Cory and Kimo and many more. The Tuesday night competition officially begins Oct. 9, following a special opening night Oct. 2 that featured performances by former winners.
For the third year the event is hosted by Crystal Akana, Island 98.5’s lovely radio personality on Lanai’s Morning Madness. Also added to the free event a few years ago is the Aftershock concert series,in which established Island bands perform after each competition weekly.
Paula Fuga
“Every year we try to change it up, so a couple years ago we started the Aftershock,” adds Cekada. “We bring in the bigger names, and it has taken it to the next level.”
The Aftershock lineup is: Oct. 9 Koauka, Oct. 16 Beach 5, Oct. 23 B.E.T., Oct. 30 Ten Feet, Nov. 6 Afatia, Nov. 13 Dubkonscious with Paula Fuga,Nov.20 Oshen,Nov.27 Ooklah The Moc, and Dec. 4 Go Jimmy Go!
Presented by Bud Light “True Music"and Island 98.5 FM, the competition is happening every Tuesday night from Oct. 9 to Dec. 4 beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.maitairumble.com
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