Instrumental Music

Hula Records completes its series of budget-priced CDs with this presentation of sweet Hawaiian music entitled Hawaii's Instrumental Favorites.  This collection of some of Hawaii's most-requested songs is easy on the ears, and great for use as a backdrop for parties or videos - or just for "hanging loose," Hawaiian-style, relaxing with a cool beverage!  Color scenic photos and information about each song is included.  The album's reasonable price makes it a perfect souvenir for visitors to our Islands.  At this price, they can afford to buy all four in the series - Hawaii's Favorite Songs, Maui's Favorite Songs, Kauai's Favorite Songs, and Hawaii's Instrumental Favorites!
 

Honolulu, Hawai`i, November, 2002...Hula Records International is pleased to announce the release of "HAIKU" - the third in a series pairing the shakuhachi or Japanese bamboo flute by RILEY LEE with JEFF PETERSON's Hawaiian slack key guitar.  While their first two albums explored the simplicity of the bamboo flute and guitar, this new compact disk takes their collaboration to a new level, combining flutes and guitar in multilayered arrangements.  The addition of a bass adds a deep rhythmic component to the soaring harmonies Riley and Jeff have created for this new collection of originals and old favorites.

Internationally acclaimed RILEY LEE has recorded over 50 albums, both as a solo artist and in tandem with others playing instruments such as Australia's didjerido.  JEFF PETERSON was born and raised on Maui where the music of his Hawaiian heritage provided a foundation for Jeff's exploration of classical and jazz forms.  Local audiences will recognize him from performances at Milton Lau's annual Ki Ho`alu Festivals or recitals at The Honolulu Academy of Arts.  Also a noted composer, Jeff's works have been heard in the US and abroad.
 

RVR Records is pleased to announce the release of Pua Lilia, the debut recording by Pierre Grill, noted Hawaii producer and recording engineer.  Pierre moved to Hawai`i from Marseille, France 22 years ago and since then has produced many successful local artists at Rendez-Vous Recording, his studio tucked away in Manoa Valley.  With his training in classical music and jazz, and his love for the Islands, Pierre turned his attention to Hawai`i's music and recently made time to sit down at his piano and complete this beautiful recording of 13 favorite Hawaiian melodies.  The last selection, "Hawai`i Aloha," features the Luna String Quartet, made up of students from Punahou School.  The attractive packaging makes the album perfect for gift-giving.

This is the world's first collection of classical and semi-classical favorites performed by a steel drum duo.  The few steel drum classical albums that exist are large orchestras from the Caribbean.  Sweet Dreaming is more soft, chamber music-like.  Usually this instrument is pounding out a melody along with pulsating rhythms, but here, the exquisite sweetness of the “pan” is the core around which the album was built.

1. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring – Bach
2. Ave Maria – Bach/Gounod
3. La Donna e Moble – Verdi
4. Today – Sparks
5. Amapola – LaCalle/Gamsel
6. Beautiful Dreamer – Foster
7. Edelweiss – Rogers
8. On Wings of Song – Mendelssohn
9. Over the Rainbow – Arlen
10. Ave Maria – Schubert
11. Cannon – Pachelbel
12. Barcarolle – Offenbach
13. Santa Lucia – Napolitan Folk Song
14. What a Wonderful World – Douglas

Greg and Junko MacDonald are Hawai`i's premier steel drum group.  After three albums of predominately tropical music, they applying the Caribbean instrument to an assortment of American pop songs and classical melodies by Bach, Schubert and Verdi.  The steel drums’ bright, bell-like sound creates a festive ambiance and presents familiar tunes in a fresh perspective.

The couple embellish their bright percussive arrangements with other instruments.  Junko also plays the grand piano, Shawn Ishimoto, guitar and ukulele, and Pierre Grill, mandolin and keyboards – John Berger’s review 11/30/01 Star Bulletin

Master Raymond Kane, living treasure & recipient of the Natural Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship Award is joined by his protégé & friend Michael Lowe on this recording.  Experience for yourself the beauty & richness of Kane and Lowe's guitar stylings on songs.

Hu`i E - Ke Kaula `Ili - Mo`opuna Lullaby - Ahi Wela - Na Hoa He`e Nalu - La Paloma - Ka Punahou - Moana Chimes - `Opelu - Kuamo`o Slack Key - The Sidewalks of New York - Papakolea - Home Sweet Home

Soft, sweet and gentle music to relax the soul.  Traditional Hawaiian melodies featuring the slack-key guitar.

Ki Ho`alu `Ekahi - Old Hi`ilawe - Kohala Charmirita - Kona Kai Opua - Kane's Tune - Ho`oluana - Maunaloa Blues - Radio Hula - Ho`omanawanui - Hawaiian March Melody - A Medley for Tutu - Kolohe Medley

Hapa-haole favorites presented instrumentally in the good old fashioned Hawaiian way featuring island style slack-key, steel guitar and ukulele.

Lei of Stars - Soft Green Seas - Whispering Lullaby - White Ginger Blossoms - Evening in the Islands - Hana - Hawaiian Wedding Song - Pearly Shells - Love Song of Kalua - Hawaii Calls

A dozen hula classics, in slack-key and steel guitar Hawaiian Instrumental Arrangements.

Ka Wai o Namolokama - Nani Ko`olau - `Ulili E - Alekoki - Kona Kai `Opua - He`eia - Nani Wale Na Hala - Kona Hema - Hanohano Hanalei - Moku Kia Kahi - Hi`ilawe - `Ula No Weo
 

Slack-key and steel guitar instrumentals of a dozen Hawaiian favorites like Vol I, also perfect for your slide shows, videos, & background music.

Heha Waipi`o - Nanea Ko Maka - My Sweet, Sweet - He Aloha No o Honolulu - Kanaka - Hali`i Ka Moena - `Ia `Oe E Ka La - Sweet Lei Lehua - Ho`okena - Sassy - Kahuli Aku - Punahou

World famous Hawaiian melodies that are as beautiful and unforgettable as a Hawaiian Sunset.

Hawaiian Wedding Song - Pearly Shells - Tiny Bubbles (on CD only) - I'll Remember You/Days of My Youth - Diamond Head - Wonderful World of Aloha - Lahainaluna - Tropical Night - One Paddle, Two Paddle - Aloha `Oe

A full 60 minutes of the environmental sounds of the ocean in Paradise with natural subliminals.  Recorded live and on location in Hawaii.  Perfect for easy listening, relaxation, meditation, lovemaking, creative thinking, stress release, sleep, freedom from anxieties, reading, energization, and just about anything.

Honolulu, Hawai`i, December, 2000 . . . Hula Records International is pleased to announce the release of "MAUI MORNING" a unique instrumental recording featuring world-renowned shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) master, Riley Lee (of Hawai`i and Australia) and Maui born Jeff Peterson, who, as a youth, learned to play slack key guitar from the paniolo at Haleakala Ranch.  Lee is a seasoned recording artist with some 40 albums under his belt, while Peterson, who has studied with some of the world's best classical and jazz guitarists, and is himself a music teacher, is a newcomer to the recording world.

Never before has there been such a recording!  The shakuhachi has not been used in either traditional or contemporary Hawaiian music ensembles.  No "standard" repertoire of duets exists for the shakuhachi and guitar.  Together Lee and Peterson assembled a collection of favorite Island melodies and set about making beautiful music together.  Here are 7 Hawaiian classics that span the generations, an original title track composed by Jeff Peterson, and a version of the ever-popular "Hawaiian Wedding Song," that is appropriate for use in wedding ceremonies.