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Hawaiian Music
Most of us think of Hawaiian music as songs performed in the native Hawaiian tongue accompanied by the dancing fingers of an ukulele player or the laid back finger picking of the slack key guitarist. The classic Hawaiian sound conjures up images of sun-soaked days, hula dancers, sipping Mai Tais under a palm frond on the beach and feasting at a traditional luau under a blanket of stars. Hawaiian music was born out of the soulful sounds of religious chants and hymns. In the 1800s, visitors brought instruments such as the ukulele, violin, flute, piano, and most importantly, the guitar. Local musicians modified the guitar by loosening the strings to create the slack key sound that would become synonymous with the Hawaiian sound. Hawaiians are largely credited with inventing the steel guitar, which is also synonymous with the Hawaiian sound. The Hawaiian sound earned a permanent spot on the world music scene in the 1970s, and the sound continues to evolve today. Pick up a recording from a contemporary Hawaiian artist, and you'll see just how eclectic this genre has become. Artists like Justin Young, Norm, Kekoa, and Kawika Regidor are known for mixing soul and pop with a signature island vibe. If you want to learn more about the modern sounds of Hawaiian music, Neos Productions offers a variety of different compilation CDs that capture the mood of this exciting genre. One of the most popular compilations is the "Hawaiian Style" series, featuring top artists performing their biggest hits. The "Hawaiian Style" series captures the feel of island pride, and the joy that comes with island living.
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