Customer Reviews

PURE HEART

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this CD because of a good review in "Hawaii" magazine. This trio provides an interesting combination of instruments: Ukulele, guitar, and bongo percussionist. After listening to it, I think these guys are truly special. Their instrumentation blends better than I could ever imagine, and Jake, the uke player is the best I've ever heard. He does all the usual things better, plus can "pick" leads with Les-Paul-type warp speed! Also his fills are so natural, the kind that can't be taught and only come with great talent. There are almost as many instrumentals as vocals, but in this case it's a real plus. "Green Rose Hula" was very nice, as Jon, who has a smooth voice, very natural vibrato, and single-tracks everything, sings this one in Hawaiian. "Olinda Road" is a great instrumental illustrating the guitar-uke blend. The percussionist, Lopaka, seems just as talented as Jake, blending just the right amount of "jungle sounds" with a huge variety of percussives. "Ka'ai" is another great instrumental blend of the ringing tones of Jon's Takamine guitar with the more staccato-compression sounds of Jake's uke. "Moloka'i Sweet Home," beautifully sung by Jon, is made even better by the combination of mellow guitar tones with the uke's harmonies and fills. "On Fire," "Star of Gladness," Jake's Prelude," and "Europa," a mixture of vocals and instrumentals, are somewhat connected, and four excellent tracks in a row. The two remakes, Bruce Channel's "Hey Baby," along with "One Love," are both very well done with just the right amount of original treatment. Finally, I disagree with the review I read about the last cut, "Mr. Sun Cho Lee," which gave it a slight knock. I think Lopaka, the percussionist, shows his multi-talented nature here: he has a fine voice, great timing, and does super impersonations of five or six different "accents," in this very clever final track. This young group, supposedly the hottest in Hawaii, is talented and uniquely harmonious, and I can't stop listening to the thing!

This is the original Pure Heart. The lead singer for this group left to pursue academics and is now replaced by a different, but almost equally vocally talented guy. I prefer the original Pure Heart. The melodies are flowing and the music is soothing. Ideal for listening to in traffic! You will find that the remakes of certain songs such as Bring Me Your Cup (peformed by UB40) is a Hawaiian rendition using ukuleles which give it a "local" flavor. Please give this cd a try. You will like it. I know I did and own two of their cds. And it doesn't hurt that they won album of the year (in Hawaii)for this album!

This group is awesome. I remember Jake telling me it was coming along good back a couple years.....its awesome. Congrats on all the Na Hoku Awards. I got nothing but Moloka`i pride going there for the group!=)

OK I admit it...I am a music wacko. Over 1400 CD's from all musical styles. Heck, I still play my old LP's from the 60's. But all to often I find myself wanting a little of that Hawaii sound and so I drift over to the bookcases lining our living room and bend down until I get to the 'P's and yank out this recording. It is simply some of the finest music I have ever discovered in our travels around the world. I mourn the fact that these kids haven't played together in a long time. But I am heartened to read that Jake S.(the vastly amazing ukelele player on this CD) is still going strong on Oahu. Even if you have never been to Hawaii you simply have to have this recording if you are a devotee of outstanding musicianship. These guys can really play! They only made three records that I know of, only two of which Amazon.com appears to inventory. If you can find the Christmas recording you will want to own that one also. Absolute solid gold... I'm going back to Oahu just to hear Jake play the Uke again.

I am from hawaii and if you ask any one in hawaii ..only if they were living under a rock for about 2 years then they wouldn't know anything about pure heart..pure heart 1 is one of the best hawaiian groups there is the music is beauitful and the lyrics and songs are head bopping..there is some remakes of classics and the group does them justice. listen to the vocals the rasp and the smoothness and mellow sound of the lead singer is incredible and the ukulele is mind blowing it almost seems like the ukulele is singing and dancing with the musci.pureheart's first album his album is the best and it is a must in every collection.

Pure Heart is amazing. Jon Yamasato's voice and inflection is incredible for a person his age, Jake is the most skilled ukulele player I've ever had the pleasure to hear, and Lopaka's latin influenced rythms add spice to this mixed plate of Hawaiian sound. An incredible debut!

This is an excellent debut album by a young and talented trio. "Pure Heart" knows its instruments well, and Jon Yamasato's lead vocals are very nice.

i love them. they are solid. they local bradda's. i trying to play ukulele like them but i cannot. they are unique. thats why i love them. if they read this message. well, i love you all.

I have always loved this music.... not just pure heart... this is pure talent!

I thought I had lost my original CD, so had to hunt down another, thank goodness I was successful!

I received this CD in less than two days after ordering it! It was very expertly packed so that it would not be damaged. There's a reason he/she has 5 star reviews =)