Customer Reviews

Maui

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've lived in Hawaii for twelve years and have accumulated a large, eclectic selection of "Hawaiian music". I tend to like slack key, and the old masters of, but frankly I hadn't heard anything new in Hawaiian music that I felt compelled to listen to, much less purchase, for many many, months. In fact, it was my opinion that the genre had stagnated. I realized I was only playing my "Hawaiian" CD's when we had visitors, as background music. How pathetic is that! I almost didn't buy this CD for that reason. I want to hear new music that has roots in old music. Yet the new music must still touch me and not be solely an ego journey for the artist(s). Maui, by Hapa, was all this and more, for me.
Each selection is quite different, yet they all flow and follow a thread. Each shows the influence of other forms of music, from jazz to that quaint Tahitian plunk-plunk accomanied by pure, joyful voices that is so nostalgic of Tahiti, a spiritual and cultural ancestor of Hawai'i. If you've ever been to the Society Isles during Heiva, or even flown into Papeete airport in the middle of the night and been a recipient of one of these heart-felt musical welcomes, you'll know just what I mean.
(I have to confess, I do like most of Hapa's previous albums quite alot. They are among my top five Hawaiian performers of all time. I also must confess this review is written rather spontaneously, under the influence of two glasses of wine. But isn't that when music is at its best? Not one, not three, but after two glasses of wine.)

I had always been luke warm to Hapa before, even their acclaimed debut album. one of their problems for me has always been the odd mix of styles and instrumental with vocal tunes. But this album is great. My favorite songs are Lei Manoa, Papa E, redemption Song, and Mo'i o' Lili 'u. Definitely a favorite album now. Even the instrumentals should not fail to make you happy. If you aren't sure about Hawaiian Music yet I also suggest you try Amy Gilliom (Pu'uhonua) and Iz (facing Future).
Aloha from Honolulu!

Having moved recently to Hawaii, I have the opportunity to listen to a LOT of local music. I heard Lei Manoa on the radio ONCE, after having been here for a few months and this song so instantly caught me...its absolutely haunting and it invades your very soul. I highly recommend. We often make CD's of great Hawaiian tunes to send to our friends who have plans to visit soon and this song is ALWAYS on the playlist. It's truly one of our very favorites and quickly becomes one of theirs as well. Bravo Hapa!

There are five *great* albums on my shelf: Abbey Road (Beatles), London Calling (The Clash), Maui (Hapa), the Bach St. Matthew Passion (John Elliott Gardner) and the Turkish Baglama Resitali #1 by Arif Sag and Musa Eroglu. That's it--the best music out there. For me, the Hapa-Maui album has deepened and richened with every hearing. Please note that this is a high-concept album, imagining the music of 21st-cent. Polynesia and taking it seriously. I've read the negative reviews here, and with all due respect, they just didn't get it. Yes, the earlier Hapa albums are lovable, but this one really does take their music to a newer, higher lever. Please give it due respect, play it, treasure it, let it get under your skin. The album requires a bit of homework: do it. Read the liner notes, take the ambitious concept seriously, it is infinitely rewarding. For the adventurous world-music types, every piece here is musically delightful and thought-provoking. For fans of Hawaiian music, there is nothing better than Nathan Aweau's exquisite rendition of "Manoa in the rain." Barry Flanagan's guitar leaps categories. I'm haunted by the lament for Queen Lili'u, and by the juxtaposition of Bob Marley with Charles Kaupu's chanting. For the Millenials, the slam poetry bit is just terrific. And the Tahitian numbers, and the Samoan? Pure ear candy. You might even want to acquire and sit thrugh the "Hapa Maui" Peter Fonda video (just be sure to ignore Peter Fonda, ouch). My only complaint with the album is that Charles Ka'upu's wonderful chanting is not sufficiently credited nor explained in the notes. For that you need to attend a Hapa concert, which I also urge. (Guys, please come back to Annapolis? Please? Okay? We need this!)

This is the first time I have bought Hapa at Amazon. I have many other slack key guitar CD's. Of the 3 Hapa CD's I bought, Maui is my favorite. It seems, however, that they have to put one "kookie" track on every CD. I will probably buy another artist next, but do enjoy this choice from time to time.

I like anything Hapa puts out. They are also very good in concert. I live in Phoenix AZ and they come here atleast 2 times a year and alos can catc from time to time in CA at Half Moon Bay

I never got the CD's so I am pissed off. I had this CD but someone liked it better than me and took it from my house. This is a wonderful CD and I bought 2 of them again one for me and one to give to a friend but I never got any. All in all I think that I have bought 8 of these CD's and it is such a great collection of music that I cannot keep one. If anyone desires to listen to Hawaiian music this is the CD to own. But words to the wise keep in under lock and key or you will loose it. The art work on the package is outstanding.

I loved listening to this CD on Aloha Joe radio online, so choosing to buy this was easy. Great sound, great voice, all around good Hawaiian CD!!!

This CD is living proof of how far off track Hapa has gotten from what made them so popular to begin with. "Kealoha Bebop w/Charlie" is completely awful. "Lei Mänoa" is the one song that makes this CD worth a second look, but it pretty much stops there.

Hapa needs to get back to their roots of their debut album with the melodic slack key, beautiful and graceful hawaiian music, and that "Hapa" factor they had on that album.

It seems like in recent years this band has grown further and further away from it's Hawaiian influences and tried to appeal to the other fringes of music such as Jazz, hip hop, and other mainstream styles ... which isn't a good thing.

If nobody had ever heard of "Hapa" and came across this album, you can be pretty sure it would get tossed aside into the bargain bin, and Hapa never would have become as big as they are today. There's a reason their debut album put them on the Hawaiian music map ... I just wish they'd return to their old style and wow me again.

To sum it up: Unless you like paying $22 for an album with ONE good song, move along ... nothing to see here. If you buy this album looking for more music like their old stuff, you will be sorely disappointed.

While the version of "Redemption Song" is okay I don't see much here. Listen to a sample of the slam poet on track 11, "Kealoha Bebop" for an idea of how awful it can be; the (false) emotional tone of rap doesn't match the music in the slightest.