​Anaheim, CA - As part of a tribute album to his father, the revered Samoan folk-pop artist Jerome Grey, Loa Greyson (a.k.a. Tini Grey) is releasing a remake of his dad's original song, Eleni. The 1980 song is about all the different ways the people of Samoa cooked a tin of mackerel - one of the few affordable food items available at that time - but it also became a well-known protest song throughout the country for its lyrics about the country's politicians living very comfortable lives while the majority of the people were very poor. The song was revolutionary because of its lyrics, but the recording production was unprecedented. There was nothing like it at the time - it was a new sound for Samoan music with its fusion of pop, jazz, and funk. The song resonated with the people and became an instant radio hit.
 
During his earliest years Greyson's family lived in Samoa, followed by a move to Hawai'i. During his time in Hawai'i he was a member of the popular Polynesian R&B group Reign, with Kale Chang, Loa Faimealelei, Afatia Thompson, and Kuhio Yim. Now living in California, while raising his family of five kids with wife Angela Baraquio Grey (Miss America 2001) Greyson was motivated to continue his father’s legacy following the elder Grey’s stroke during a stage performance in 2007. He embarked on a solo music career releasing albums, EPs, and singles, making television appearances and videos, and traveling to perform at venues nationwide.
 
In recent years Greyson also performed occasionally with his dad, but in August 2019, the elder Grey suffered another stroke. This, following the loss of Greyson's mother in March 2019, created a sense of urgency to complete a tribute album that Greyson had begun working on after his mom passed – something he'd hoped would reintroduce his dad's music to a younger generation and continue his legacy, but also help raise his dad's spirits and let him know that his music would not be forgotten. The album will contain over 20 of Jerome Grey's original songs, including "We Are Samoa", arguably Grey's most well-known song and one which is now considered the unofficial national anthem of Samoa. 
 
Eleni, both the single and the upcoming album of the same name, is produced and performed by Greyson, his brother Taumata (who is a member of the group Common Kings), Shawn Ishimoto, Marc Solomon and Soli Satele. Executive Producers are Greyson, James Ng, Lina Tran and The Ho'olina Foundation. Musicians include Greyson, Taumata Grey, Jerome Grey, Shawn Ishimoto, Marc Solomon, Derek Nakamoto, Francios Dean II, John Leilua, Soli Satele, Vaea A'etonu, James Ng, Drew Tretick, Ira Nepus, Brandon Shaw, Shiabe Bok Pangelinan, and Matthew Margallo. Featured guests include Sisa Grey Uiagalelei, Anamativa Grey Niumata, Cheyenne and Taralyn Maneafaiga, Juliet Figarski, Ben Figarski, Angela Baraquio Grey, Vaea A’etonu, Silulu A’etonu Grey, Kelemete Meredith and the Grey grandkids.  Recorded, mixed and mastered by Marc Solomon.  Mixed also by Craig Burbidge.
 
The single will be available on Spotify, iTunes and other digital platforms including TikTok on February 29, 2020. 

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Building on the success of his debut album E Mama (which received multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations in 2019), Mauiʻs Kaleo Phillips has released his second album, Take Me Home. The album, which includes nine original and two cover songs, was written in a variety of genres from Hawaiian to country, rock, and more, and honors family and friends, as well as others who have helped shape his life.
 
The emotional cover song, Take Me Home, was written during a particularly difficult time in Phillipsʻ life. Phillipsʻ eldest son Hoaka wrote Fallinʻ, a bonus track he performs with his dad. A variety of well-known, award-winning artists contributed their talents to the album as well, including Kumu Hula, Grammy nominee, and multile Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner Kamaka Kukona, who  created the translation for Randy Lorenzoʻs "The Ballad of of Keawaiki", which features Lorenzo himself on vocals and was recorded by Kapena DeLima at his Bu Print Studios.  
 
A veteran of Hawaiʻiʻs music scene, Phillips comes from a musical family. Like his father, James Hinano Phillips ( who performed with a variety of artists including Manu Kahaiali‘i - Willie K’s father - John Kane,  Aunty Waddi Kaina, and Martin “Gramps” Pahinui), Kaleo also supports other artists, both as a performer and songwriter. He has toured extensively throughout Hawaiʻi, as well as on the continent and in Japan, and he performs regularly with Willie K. His support of others in the music industry is apparent in the list of those who contributed to this album, including Ikaika Blackburn (of the award-winning and Grammy-nominated band Nā Hoa); Merrie Monarch and multiple Na Hōkū Award winner Napua Grieg; and more.
 
Take Me Home was produced by Phillips, Michael Casil, and Wailau Ryder, and recorded at Casilʻs I-Vibe Studios. Contributing musicians include Ikaika Blackburn, Michael Casil, Napua Grieg, Randy Lorenzo, Hoaka Phillips, and Justin Phillips on vocals; Kapena DeLima on guitar, bass, piano, drums, and percussion; Wailau Ryder on guitar and bass; Joshua Kahula on guitar and bass; Josh Hearl, Randy Lorenzo, and Ryan Rego on guitar; and Dane Pateo, Jr. and Thomas "Poni" Calep on piano/keyboards.
 
Take Me Home is available on all digital outlets. The CD will be distributed in Hawaii by Island Heritage.

Here are some song clips:

Wailuku, HI - Kumu Hula, GRAMMY®  nominee, and two-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Male Vocalist of the Year Kamaka Kukona will release his third album, Kahekeonāpua, on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2020. The album is a collection of some of his most favorite songs, including many new originals and some classic covers, all of which are aimed at one's deepest emotions. It opens with keiki from Kukonaʻs Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua chanting in the background as he speaks, and closes with the keiki joining him as they alternate between his voice and theirs - a beautiful testament to both his love of and devotion to hula and to guiding and nurturing his young haumana (students).
 
The original mele (songs) on the album include the hit single Lovely 'Ala Mēlia, released in August 2019 and written to honor his late mother, Lovena "Ala" Pagay Vise; Kamakaokeliʻi - Murray Boy's Lullabye a song written for his beloved dog; the title track Kahekeonāpua, a new composition honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani and the resilient kūpa’a (loyal) aloha ‘āina of the Hawaiian people; and Sailing Away From Me, a song previously released as a single and one that is a departure from Kukona's usual style, and where the catchy, upbeat tempo decries the pain behind the lyrics.
 
Among the classics chosen for the album are Kui Lee's Lahainaluna; Lena Machado's Kamalani O Keaukaha; Sam Liʻa Kalainainaʻ Hiʻilawe; and Ray Charles' You Don't Know Me.
 
In addition to being an award-winning Kumu Hula, Kukona won Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards (Hawaiʻiʻs Grammy) for each of his first two albums, Hanu ʻAʻala and ʻAla Anuhea. Hanu ʻAʻala was also nominated for a 2015 GRAMMY® Award - the only Hawaiian album in the category that year.
Kahekeonāpua was produced by Kukona, Michael Casil, and Wailau Ryder, and recorded at I-Vibe Studios. Guest artists include Wailau Ryder (guitar, ʻukulele, electric bass); Michael Casil (background vocals, drums, percussion); Kaniala Masoe (background vocals, Lahainaluna); Josh Hearl (guitar, You Don't Know Me); Kana Pikini (bass, Sailing Away From Me); Paul Bunuan (saxophone); James De Bos (trombone); Rona Landrigan and Ae Kyong Yoon (violin); Teresa Skinner (viola); Cheryl Lindley (cello); and Sal Godinez (keyboards/piano, Kamalani O Keaukaha).
 
The album is currently available for presale on iTunes, and will eventually be available on all digital outlets. The CD and will be distributed in Hawaii by Island Heritage.

Here are some song clips: