The prolific Yuki Alani Yamauchi, producer of ex-sumo wrestler turned singer Konishiki, collaborator and instigator of several other projects plays ukulele, steel guitar and slack key guitar with guest singers Maki Uehara from Hawaiiana and Yumi Ishikawa from Aloha Sisters and on percussion, Ann-San.
Yuki plays Hawaiian songs unfortunately dubbed as AOR from the late 70s to early 80s. Price: £18.99
Compilation of the much in demand slack key and ukulele's collaborations. These include ex-Sumo giant Hawaiian Konishiki, Japanese singer Sandii, slack key master Ray Kane, Elodia Kane, Martin Pahiunui and others. Good overview of the recent work of this talented musician.
Classical Hawaiian song collection, featuring Hawaiian versions of Satie, Vivaldi, Handel and Bach, and classical Hawaiian music by Charles King, Helen Desher Beamer, and Queen Lili'uokalani. Played on slack key guitar, ukuleles and other Hawaiian instrumentation. Price: £18.99
Volume 2 in similar vain to volume 1 if of Western classical music done Hawaiian style.
Yuki Yamauchi is best known as Japan's foremost Hawaiian slack key guitarist, and student of the slack key master Ray Kane. On this album Yamauchi joins singer (and dancer) Maki Uehara to play a play 'bossa nova hula' which are mainly tunes by the legendary Brazilian Tom Jobim. Price: £18.99
Excellent Hawaiian slack key guitar album that encompasses other styles, including Brazilian, blues and Caribbean.
Holoholo Slack Key is the third duet album released by Ray Kane and and his favorite disciple Yuki 'Alani' Yamauchi. As on their previous album, 'Maika'i no Blues', once again the earthy voice of Ray Kane is brought to the fore, although he also plays guitar on several tracks. According to Ray Kane, Yuki plays the slack key in a style closest to his own, perhaps explaining the totally natural feel and spirit of their recordings together. In addition, Yuki plays steel guitar and ukulele. Most of the songs are classic traditional songs of Hawaiian music, many adapted to the slack key guitar. Ray sometimes sings in a quite humorous style, sometimes with a feeling evoking the blues, but all songs have his own character indelibly stamped upon them. Some of the highlights include such songs as "Wai Ulu", also recorded by the "Sons of Hawaii" and their original version of the Lena Machado song "None Hula". Many songs will be known to lovers of traditional Hawaiian music such as "Latitu. Others are Ray's personal favorites such as 'I Ka Po Me Ke Ao" and "Wai O Ke Aniani". Beautifully recorded, this album will appeal to lovers of slack key guitar music, Hawaiian traditional songs or guitar music fans. Perhaps it's the timeless appeal and character of Uncle Ray's voice that has the widest appeal. During times when contemporary Hawaiian music is losing some it's own Hawaiian character, Ray Kane and Yuki Yamauchi have served up a concoction brimming with the spirit and feeling of Hawaii. Price: £18.99
On this occasion, Ray leaves the slack key playing to Yuki, with Ray's vocal style to the fore, evoking the 'real' deep blues of Hawaii. Yuki Yamauchi, probably the best slack key player outside of Hawaii, is a disciple of Ray Kane, under whom he studied for one year in 1976. In addition, Yuki plays every other additional instrument, such as ukulele, steel guitar and bass, and furthermore arranged each song. The sound of 'Maika'i no Blues', takes you back to the days of the legendary 60s group 'Sons of Hawaii'. According to Yuki, if Ray Kane had been in the band that featured Gabby Pahuinui, this CD is what it would have sounded like. The music is warm, and Ray's voice has an earthy, soulful blues quality. Ray sings straight from the heart, with true emotion. You can almost hear both his playful and very human character.
This is the first album Ray has recorded, where his voice is accompanied by instruments in addition to slack key guitar. Martin Pahuinui, the son of the late Gabby is guest vocalist on 3 songs, and he also plays acoustic guitar. The exquisite voice of Elodia Kane (Ray's wife) is also featured on several songs. Tracks include the title song, 'Maika'i no Blues', an original Yuki Yamauchi composition, that honours Ray Kane. Ray contributes an original song, an unusual 10 bar blues piece, 'Nanakuli Blues'. Nanakuli is the town that Ray lives in, and this is the kind of tune he grew up with in and aroun Nanakuli. The elder statesman of Hawaiian music, Ray Kane began playing music at the age of 9. Now 74, on this album Ray fulfils the promise of his middle name, Kaleoalohapoinaoleohelemanu, 'The voice of love that comes and goes like a bird, and will never be forgotten.'
Hawaiian slack key guitar versions of Christmas tunes, by Japan's virtuoso player. Price: £17.99
Alani is considered to be one of the finest slack key players outside of Hawaii. Excellent recording, masterful performance.
Japan's top Hawaiian player trys his hand successfully at steel guitar. Price: £18.99
Wonderful recording in Hawaii with one of the greats of slack key guitar.
Solo ukulele tracing history of ukulele from Portugal to Hawaii via Tahiti and Indonesia. 14 tracks. Price: £18.99
Re-issue of 1978 Hawaiian album from Japanese Hawaiian band, including Alani Yamauchi.
Instrumental album of slack key, steel guitar and ukulele with Brazilian, Malaysian and Indonesian musicians. Price: £18.99
