Teresa Bright is universally recognized as one of Hawaii's top singers. Her successful musical career has produced a multitude of award-winning albums, including Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year.
"Hawaiinawa" is an innovative and fresh new album from Bright that pairs traditional songs of Okinawa with the Hawaiian language.
The album features both instruments and language of Okinawa and Hawai'i including kiho'alu (slack key guitar), steel guitar and shanshin (three-string ukulele-like Okinawan instrument).
Inspired by the Japanese's love for the Hawaiian culture, music and hula, along with the recent popularity of Okinawan music among Japan's younger generation, "Hawaiinawa" brings these two cultures together entwining Okinawan music with the sweet gentle language and sounds of Hawai'i. This unique and captivating collection is recorded in the Hawaiian language, arranged in the Kiho'alu (slack key) tunings and flavored by the vocal style of Bright.
Bright is a first-class musician who has firmly established herself in Hawai'i and Japan gaining huge fan bases on both sides of the world. Well-recognized and sometimes ineffable, her voice can be described as crystalline, sultry, heavenly and touched with jazz and a multitude of color.
Bright wrote and recorded multiple commercial jingles for Max Factor, NTT Japan, Sapporo Beer, Toyota and Japan Airlines. She also toured with popular Japanese recording stars Lisa Ono and the jazz group Gontiti.
With this exceptional new release "Hawaiinawa," Teresa has created a new and refreshing sound for Hawai'i and the world.
Our take here at Lonomusic: As we did the first pass-through we were waiting for Kino to show up and start a lomilomi on our feet. On the second pass-through, eh Kino! bring Heather with you. Definitely prone position with Kino and Heather of Moloka'i Massage, a Teresa Bright signature sound.
Words and translations included in cover insert.
Our greatest sympathy for Frank Lawelawe 'ohana ame hoaloha.
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