Aloha Got Soul US Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Hawaiian jazz-funk "covers band" Aura hear two of their earliest and most powerful cuts from their self-titled 1979 LP reissued on 7". The attitudinal 'Let Me Say Dis About Dat' puts forth a crowd-shouldering sense of sass, its bruxist guitar and highly sampleable drums setting a worthy gold standard for funk music of the era. Hailing from Waikiki, Aura's membership totalled over ten players (!) at the height of their powers and this ensemble makeup was likely the secret of the potency of their horn section, known among their barfly fans as "loud, rich and tight". Though they played mostly covers in their time, both the A and B's 'No Beginning No End' are Aura originals, more than proving this band's mettle on the creative stage, not to mention their appropriation for DJ play.

Review: We're big fans of Aloha Got Soul and that only deepness when we learn about this new project, Mix Plate. It's a compilation spotlighting fresh music from emerging artists rooted in Hawai'i after the label has traditionally focused on reissuing overlooked gems from the 1970s and 1980s. Now they mark a shift towards supporting today's voices. Featuring artists who call Hawai'i home-some staying, others returning after venturing elsewhere-the compilation celebrates their commitment to shaping the island's contemporary sound. Through their music, they express identity, heritage and experience while also offering a healthy respect for the past.