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: