Mahina

In Pahinui's hands, slack key guitar is eloquent, original, and virtuosic. Night Moon, his third release on Dancing Cat Records, is his most polished yet. He offers effortless chops, peppering each piece--vocal and instrumental alike--with a broad vocabulary of intricate motives and well-handled dynamics. Singing in a lazy melancholy tenor-baritone, with an impressive falsetto, his voice is the perfect juxtaposition for his active, expressive playing. Pahinui has recorded prolifically since the late '60s when he appeared on several albums with his father, the late Gabby Pahinui (Hawaii's best known and most influential slack key guitarist). Pahinui is ecstatically at play on "Hurrah Lani Ha'a Ha'a," which sounds distinctly country, and features some of his most deftly crafted fretwork. Listen to the subtle harmonies of "Hawaiian Cowboy," and the halted urgency of "Po Mahina," and you'll put this guy up against any fingerstylist around. Night Moon is a great buy for guitar enthusiasts. --Daniel Ferris

1-Mahina o Hoku/Aloha Wau la 'Oe,2-Aloha Hawaii Ku'u One Hanau,3-Blossom Nani Ho'i E,4-Kiowao/Ua Nani 'o Nu'uanu,5-Baby Hula,6-Latitu,7-And I Love You So,8-Ke Aloha,9-Pili Aloha,10-Fa'a Hei Ta'u,11-Ke Kuko E Ka Manawa,12-He Mele No Kahikuonalani

In Pahinui's hands, slack key guitar is eloquent, original, and virtuosic. Night Moon, his third release on Dancing Cat Records, is his most polished yet. He offers effortless chops, peppering each piece--vocal and instrumental alike--with a broad vocabulary of intricate motives and well-handled dynamics. Singing in a lazy melancholy tenor-baritone, with an impressive falsetto, his voice is the perfect juxtaposition for his active, expressive playing. Pahinui has recorded prolifically since the late '60s when he appeared on several albums with his father, the late Gabby Pahinui (Hawaii's best known and most influential slack key guitarist). Pahinui is ecstatically at play on "Hurrah Lani Ha'a Ha'a," which sounds distinctly country, and features some of his most deftly crafted fretwork. Listen to the subtle harmonies of "Hawaiian Cowboy," and the halted urgency of "Po Mahina," and you'll put this guy up against any fingerstylist around. Night Moon is a great buy for guitar enthusiasts. --Daniel Ferris

Four years after his Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning debut album on Dancing Cat, Cyril returns with a second stunning mix of twelve Hawaiian standards-seven played as slack key instrumentals and five with his warm, heartfelt vocals accompanied only by his guitar. On PO MAHINA, Cyril weaves musical magic evocative of a moonlit night in Hawai'i. Once more, he displays why he is considered one of Hawai'i's greatest slack key guitarists in history.

This 5 DVD set features the Heiva i Tahiti competitions of 1990, 1991, 1991, and 1993 plus a bonus DVD. The best dancers in French Polynesia compete in all categories of Tahitian dance wearing elaborate authentic costumes. Featured performers include: Heikura Nui, Toa Reva, Tamarii Tuivao, Torea Ura Nui, Vaiari Nui, Rima Here, Tamarii Tarevareva, Temarama, Tamarii Anapa, Tamarii Rautea, Tamarii Mataiea, Tamarii Toahotu, Tamarii Patutoa, Tiaia Nui Moorea, Papeari, Tamarii Puurai, Tamariki Oparo, Tamarii Papara, Mahina Nui and more. (560 minutes)