Customer Reviews

Take Me Home

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to disagree with Bruddah Haole in his comparison of 'Ale'a to the other groups. 'Ale'a is 100 times better than all of them combined. These guys (all of them Kamehameha grads) are in tune with the music they write, and are incredibly talented. The first song on the CD, "Take Me Home", might remind you of Makaha Sons, but after that it gets even better. There are a few tracks for the tourists, like "Hapa Haole Girl of My Dreams" and "You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)", but then there are the standards, such as "Kawohikukapulani" and "Pua Tubarose", the latter featuring the sweet falsetto harmonies of Kala'i Stern. Tracy Chapman's "Baby Can I Hold You" is updated for an all new generation.

If you're not a fan of Jawaiian music, don't worry, there's none of that here. The singing is top notch, the instrumentation is awesome, it's no wonder these guys took home a number of Hoku awards. While Kala'i Stern has since left the group to try out new projects. the future of 'Ale'a is very bright. I can easily compare this to some of Sunday Manoa's best albums.

I picked up Ale'a's "Take Me Home" by mistake after a friend recommended the band, "Kolea". What a mistake it was! This album is an exellent example of Contemporary Hawaiian Music, and is along the lines of early Ka'au Crater Boys, Mana'o Company, and Three Plus. You can't go wrong with this album.

We bought this CD after our honeymoon in Maui, Kauai and Oahu where it was on the radio the whole time. Good stuff to "take me home" where I'm from. Good mix of old style stuff and recent favorites. The style is smooth and easy to listen to. I am looking forward to their next album.

Picked this cd up at Ala Moana while on Oahu for my wedding - simply fabulous...have picked up their 2nd cd "Origins" since, and continue to be incredibly impressed....

This CD has an excellent array of sounds. The mix of classical training and a fresh sound is an invigorating addition to my hawaiian CD collection. This is definitely the first of many CD's for this band!! I await anxiously for their next CD.

I just returned today from Honolulu, and also Maui. I spent 2 weeks in the islands and my second day there I heard the song #14 on this CD "Baby Can I Hold You" and immediately went to store to purchase CD. I can honestly say out of 15 songs 14 are terrific and am so very pleased with my purchase. I just came to this site hoping to find more of their CD's but unfortunately I do not see any other ones available. If you want a great Hawaiian CD THIS IS IT, You won't be sorry!

This CD has a broad mix of styles, which exemplifies vocal agility, legato lines, and the ever mellow tones of Hawaiian style music. The two lead singers have amazing voices- one an agile falsetto and the other a Cazamero-like baritone that both sound natural and unforced. Musically this CD is pleasing to the ear, not only because of the range in styles, but the group also pays careful attention to the text. The only flaw I found was in their rendition of "Lady in Red" where the singer used quarter tones which didn't seem to match with the style of the piece. Nevertheless, this CD is an EXCELLENT purchase!

I first heard this group while listening to KAPA radio in Kona on the Big Island. It took me a long time to find out who they were since the radio station refused to name the group. I just new I loved their sound. I finally discovered 'Ale'a. Their cover of "Baby Can I Hold You" is, bar none, the best version of that song. I love Hawaiian music and this group is one of the best. Beautiful sound!

This CD has a broad mix of styles, which exemplifies vocal agility, legato lines, and the ever mellow tones of Hawaiian style music. The two lead singers have amazing voices- one an agile falsetto and the other a Cazamero-like baritone that both sound natural and unforced. Musically this CD is pleasing to the ear, not only because of the range in styles, but the group also pays careful attention to the text. The only flaw I found was in their rendition of "Lady in Red" where the singer used quarter tones which didn't seem to match with the style of the piece. Nevertheless, this CD is an EXCELLENT purchase!