One of the sweet things about running your own music site is that you get to choose the musicians that you feature. I’ve long been a fan of Hawaiian and Island Reggae music. Perhaps it’s a roots thing and the Hawaiian in me. But I’m pretty sure I’d still love to listen even if I was just a typical haole from the mainland.

Island Reggae is a genre that is by all definitions “underground” in the mainstream of music. Like Hawaii itself, Island Reggae is a bit of a melting pot of styles blending traditional Hawaiian styles and instruments like the ukulele with Reggae skank and off-beat accents, then mixing in a dash of Hip Hop and Rap with horns and powerful vocals. It’s like a plate of Loco Moco for the ears.

One group that typifies the essence of Island Reggae and one I’ve long enjoyed listening to is Ekolu. They hail from the island nation of Maui and bring some of the coolest jams and sweetest vocals you’ve ever heard. When you put on any of their albums you can’t help but get that “ire” feeling. Continue reading →