Kalapana

Kalapana emerged as one of the most popular bands on the Hawaiian music scene in the 70s, producing a steady stream of hits. Their 1975 debut album was hailed as one of the best of the mid-70s Hawaiian renaissance. Tracks like “Naturally”, “Nightbird”, “The Hurt”, “You Make It Hard”, and “When the Morning Comes” became household tunes and still enjoy frequent play on contemporary Hawaiian radio.

Musical trends have come and gone, but Kalapana’s many hits have remained Island classics. Kalapana still stands as a symbol of inspiration for contemporary Hawaiian music today.

The Manaʻo Company

The 7-time Na Hoku Hano Hano award winning band “Manaʻo Company” has been in the Hawaiian music scene since 1988. Their latest Hoku award was in 2013 for “Anthology Album of the year” for their efforts on a compilation cd, this project titled “A 20 year collection of the Manaʻo Company” has a mix of newly released songs as well a list of All their hits…”Drop baby drop”, “Spread a little ALOHA” and “Roots Rockin” to name a few. Continuing their legacy in the island music scene, The Manaʻo Company is kicking off 2017 with a few new songs to be available soon.

The band strives to provide quality music for all occasions and keep on “Spreading a little ALOHA” all around the world!!!

The Real Hoʻaikane

Hoʻaikane was founded in 1983 in Kona. The first three album releases were under Kahanu Records. The first two releases came in 1986, “Puʻuanahulu and Nolan Hao Kī Hōʻalu…On The Back Porch.”

Puʻuanahulu featured a mix of traditional Hawaiian and contemporary Hawaiian music such as Kaʻaahi Kahului, Ka ʻŌpae, and Mauna Kea Sugar.

Nolan Hao Kī Hōʻalu…On The Back Porch contained some of the best Hawaiian slack key music ever recorded. Punahele, Papakolea, ʻOphihi Moemoe, Radio Hula and other well-known classics were featured on the ki hoʻalu album.

In 1987 Hoʻaikane went paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboy) releasing their third album entitled Ano Kua Aina which contained a classic mix of Hawaiian and old country songs. Seven Spanish Angels and Your Cheating Heart were great recording covers, done the old paniolo way.

In 1989, their newest album A New Beginning labeled under Kahele Music featured several non-Hawaiian hits as Keep Hawaiian Lands/Waiting In Vain medley, Silver Wings, Some Guys Have All The Luck, and Jambalaya/Elena Bon Bon.

Hoʻaikāne exploded during the Jawaiian scene and in 1990 released Island Irie. This new sound of music catered to younger mainstream audiences. Romeo, Kailua-Kona, All Night ʻTil Daylight, and You Are My Rub A Dub had the entire island chain skankin’ to the feel good island music.

Kanakafari was released in 1991 under Niho Mano Records with island reggae songs Roots, Rock, Reggae, Gwarn!, and Night Nurse. The group recorded their first live album in 1992 entitled Hoʻaikāne ‎— Live when the popularity of Island Reggae music became apparent. Reggae songs from their previous albums were rerecorded as well as 54–56 (What’s My Number)/Taxi Driver Medley, Cocody Rock, One Way/Strictly Reggae, and 96 Degrees In The Shade.

The Hawaiian reggae scene was in full swing in 1993. Hoʻaikāne released Bulletproof, then in 1995 released the Massive album. Six years later in 2001 Hoʻaikāne released their second live album, Hoʻaikāne ‎— Live: The Last Set. Finally in 2012, they released a much anticipated album entitled Sweet Okole under their own music label Hoʻaikāne Music. With hits songs like Kona Red, Sweet Okole and Recipe. They also released a couple of singles, As Long As I’m With You and Good Day. While the music has changed over the years from Hawaiian, Slack Key, Country, Island Music, Jawaiian, Island Reggae, Reggae, and even Dance Hall one thing for sure, Hoʻaikāne music has been, and has continued to hit the Hawaii charts at #1 consistently.

Sunplaza Nakano-Kun

Sunplaza Nakano-Kun is a Japanese musician and writer. He made his professional debut as a vocalist for Bakufu Slump in 1984. Among the songs the band released, “Runner” was their biggest hit. The band broke up in April of 1999. As a solo artist, he changed his name to “Sunplaza Nakano-kun” in January of 2008 and released numerous songs over the years. His latest mini album will be released in April 2018 from Universal Music commemorating the 30th anniversary of the song, “Runner”.
www.spnakanokun.com

Pappara Kawai

Born on September 14th, 1960
Hometown: Kashiwa-shi, Chiba-prefecture.
Blood type: B
http://artist.amuse.co.jp/kawai/

He made his debut as a guitarist for Bakufu Slump in 1984. Their first album was titled “Yoi” and the 1st single was titled “Shukan Tokyo Shojo A”.

In 1988, their single titled “Runner” became a huge hit and gained much popularity. They kept releasing hit after hit such as “Rizo lava (resort lover)” (1989), “Okina Tamanegi no shita de ~haruka naru omoi~”(1989), “Tabibito yo ~the longest journey~”(1996) and became steadily popular in the music scene.

Since the band’s break up in 1999, he has been producing songs for other artists, writing, and sharing his talent through various projects.

Official website is http://www.amuse.co.jp/kawai/index.html

May J.

May J. is a multi-lingual singer-songwriter with her background rooted in Japan, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Spain, and England. As a child, she studied dance, piano, and opera. She can compose, write lyrics, sing and play the piano. In 2014, she sang a Japanese version of the theme song for the Disney film, “Frozen”, and went on her very first performance at the 65th annual Red and White singing contest on NHK that same year.  In January 2015, she performed live at Tokyo Budokan for the first time.

www.may-j.com/

Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku

www.shiritsuebichu.jp

Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku (literally Ebisu Private Junior High School) is a Japanese all-girl idol group consisting of six girls. The group was formed in August 2009 despite the fact that none of them were Junior High School students at the time.

Since their single, “Kari Keiyauku No Cinderella” debuted within the top ten of the Oricon chart in Japan on May 5th, 2011, all of their other singles have placed in the top 10 ranking. December of that following year, they performed their first solo concert at Saitama Super Arena.

They are currently active on TV variety shows, movies, stage performances (Theater), summer music festivals, and even modeling in Japan. They also continue to perform at large concert venues.

Members

Rika Mayama (aka Ebi-chu’s high tension girl)
Birthday December 12th, 1996. Born in Tokyo. Height 154.2cm

Ayaka Yasumoto (aka lycopene girl as she loves tomato)
Birthday June 27th, 1986. Born in Tokyo. Height 160cm

Mirei Hoshina (aka the idol from 360 angle)
Birthday November 2nd 1997. Born in Kanagawa. Height 161.2cm

Hinata Kashiwagi (aka Ebi-chu’s smiley toy box)
Birthday March 29th, 1999. Born in Chiba. Height 156cm

Shikaho Kobayashi (aka dancing rice, singing inaho)
Birthday June 12th, 2000. Born in Saitama. Height 167cm

Riko Nakayama (aka scorpio junior high student)
Birthday October 28th, 2000. Born in Tokyo. Height 161cm