A mix by Vinyl Don, in loving memory of Kalapana's guitarist, DJ Pratt, who passed away on September 7, 2021.

Dedicated to DJ (a Vinyl Don mix in memory of David John Pratt)

An all-vinyl tribute to the Hawaii music legend, Don Ho, on his 92nd birthday on August 13, 2022. Recorded and mixed live by Oliver Twist.

Midnight Til Don (an all-vinyl Don Ho mix by Oliver Twist)

Aloha Got Soul x Weekends West bring you heavy homegrown tunes from local artists like Nohelani Cypriano, Lemuria, Mackey Feary and many more. This exclusive all-Hawaiian rare groove mix by Aloha Got Soul is accompanied by a limited t-shirt, "Soul Time In Hawaii", hand-printed in London by Weekends West.  

Soul Time In Hawaii is now a monthly party in Honolulu, London, and Chicago:
www.alohagotsoul.com/soultimeinhawaii

Soul Time In Hawaii: Aloha Got Soul x Weekends West

Deck the halls with these Hawaiian Christmas rarities from the vinyl record vault of Oliver Twist. Recorded live at AGS Honolulu with holiday DJ decor in full effect. 

Tracklist:

1. Kalani Bright
2. The Naluai Brothers - Christmas in Hawaii
3. Nohelani Cypriano - Blue Hawaiian Christmas
4. Gail Mack and Nueva Vida - Our Island
Christmas
5. Marcel and Brian - Christmas In The Islands
6. Maile Aloha Singers - Here's Another Chance
7. John Osorio & Randy Borden - It Won't Be
Christmas Without You
8. Na Kaholokula - Have Yourself a Merry Little
Christmas
9. The Brothers Cazimero - Little Drummer Boy
10. Brickwood Galuteria - Silent Night
11. The Honolulu Boy Choir and Ed Kenney - 
My Hawaiian Christmas
12. Na Mele o Na opio - Donde Esta Santa
Clause? ( Where is Santa Clause?)

Xmas Mix 2022

Hawaiian Christmas Vinyl Mix with Oliver Twist (Aloha Got Soul / AGS Honolulu)

On March 26, 2015, Soul Time In Hawaii celebrated its one-year anniversary with 100% Hawaiian vinyl for 8 hours straight.

Resident DJs Roger Bong and Oliver Twist
with special guest shitzr

PART 1 of 2
0:00:00 - 1:31:40 // Oliver Twist (folk, acoustic, psych)
1:31:41 - 3:13:30 // Roger Bong (acoustic, new age, jazz)
3:13:31 - 3:56:50 // Oliver Twist (garage, rock, surf)

PART 2:
https://soundcloud.com/alohagotsoul/soul-time-in-hawaii-1-year-anniversary-hawaiian-vinyl-part-2 

Soul Time In Hawaii 1 Year Anniversary 100% Hawaiian Vinyl - Part 1

On March 26, 2015, Soul Time In Hawaii celebrated its one-year anniversary with 100% Hawaiian vinyl for 8 hours straight.

Resident DJs Roger Bong and Oliver Twist
with special guest shitzr

PART 2 of 2
0:00:00 - 1:43:05 // Roger Bong (soul, AOR, rare groove)
1:43:06 - 3:54:56 // shitzr (funk, soul, boogie, any kine)

PART 1: https://soundcloud.com/alohagotsoul/soul-time-in-hawaii-1-year-anniversary-hawaiian-vinyl-part-1

Soul Time In Hawaii 1 Year Anniversary 100% Hawaiian Vinyl - Part 2

Special edition of Soul Time In London at Brilliant Corners celebrating the first-ever vinyl reissue of Nohelani Cypriano's 1979 debut LP, a collaborative release by Be With Records and Aloha Got Soul.

Featuring DJs Cedric Bardawil (Aloha Got Soul) and Rob Butler (Be With Records). 

http://alohagotsoul.com/2015/08/11/aloha-got-soul-presents-mystery-blues-mix-nohelani-cypriano/

Soul Time In London: Nohelani Cypriano Release Party with Be With Records

DJ Notoya's (@djnotoya)all Japanese 45s set at Soul Time In Hawaii, recorded live on September 24, 2015 in Honolulu. 
 
When paired with photos from the evening, DJ Notoya's live recording transports the listener to Soul Time In Hawaii... Together they recreate an authentic, nostalgic experience of what this monthly all-vinyl event in Honolulu is like. Even though the sound quality is far from perfect, it perfectly captures more than a mix ever could.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Soul Time In Hawaii: DJ Notoya (Japan)

A rare look into the discotheque era of Waikiki, Al Nobriga’s “My Last Disco Song” tells of a time when nightclubs lined Kalakaua Avenue and practically every hotel hosted live entertainment. Seven days a week, locals rubbed elbows with visitors in discos like The Point After, Cock’s Roost, Garden Bar, Infinity, Duke Kahanamoku’s, Foxy Lady Too, Valentino’s, Hawaiian Hut—the list goes on. 

Read the full interview with Al Nobriga: http://wp.me/p10Uv2-1d2



Buy Now

Al Nobriga - "My Last Disco Song"

Recorded live. All vinyl.

On June 10th, 2016, clothing company Claymore Minds invited Aloha Got Soul to spin records for the launch party of their "Heavy Mellow" T-shirt series, hosted at About The Goods in Honolulu.

We jumped at the opportunity, embracing the theme "Heavy Mellow" to curate a unique selection that showcases the seriously sublime soundscape of Hawaii's musical palette: new age and folk from the 1980s; psych from the 1970s; hip hop from the 1990s and 2000s; funk and soul from the 1970s. It's all here.

"Heavy Mellow"
0:00 - 48:50 — Roger Bong
48:51 - 1:35:55 — Hideki Yamamoto
1:35:56 - 2:22:28 — Oliver Seguin
2:22:28 - 03:02:08 — Two records each (Roger, Hideki, Oliver)

www.alohagotsoul.com
www.claymoreminds.co
www.abouthegoods.com

AGS logo hats > https://alohagotsoul.bandcamp.com/merch/aloha-got-soul-logo-6-panel-hat

Heavy Mellow - All-vinyl soundscape of Hawaii's musical palette

Mike Lundy, Lemuria, Aura. This trifecta of inimitable Hawaiian acts descended upon Honolulu’s state-of-the art Broad Recording Studio in late 1979 to create what have now become the most coveted Hawaiian funk/soul/jazz albums of the era. 

But whereas Lemuria functioned as a short-lived studio band and Mike Lundy saw little success from his album’s release, Aura — comprised of eight siblings from the Mendoza family — remained a key figure in the nightlife scene of Hawaii of the 1970s and early 1980s. 

Each tune on their 1979 LP showcases the band’s unmatched musical talent that continues to astonish listeners in the 21st century, including Juno Records: 

“Raw funk... honey-coated soul… grooves and big smiles… lavish Hayes-level horns… dynamic and luxurious full spectrum harmonies. Stunning.” 

Available on vinyl and digital for the first time since its initial release, Aura is a rare example of an album that in today’s crowded reissue landscape really does live up to its mystique. 

Bandcamp exclusive: includes bonus track "Can't Waste No Time".

https://alohagotsoul.bandcamp.com/album/aura

Aura

Download

Aura "Winds Of Love"

Aura "Yesterday's Love"

Despite a small, self-funded budget, Aiko Sekiguchi and Dale Senaga accomplished a delicate balance between her soaring voice and his inviting arrangements.  

“Fly With Me” glides effortlessly through West Coast AOR in a unique hybrid Japanese-Hawaii fashion, uplifting the listener with inspiring sound and lyrics. 

“Time Machine” is high-energy cosmic disco jam that lends itself to Japanese Enka, yet maintains its playability through simple yet strong songwriting. 

Sadly, Aiko died in a car accident in 2014. Whenever we listen, it’s as if Aiko has invited us to join her as she soars through the after-life, flying “higher and higher as a bird”, traversing a space “where anything is possible”.

With each spin her spirit returns, encouraging us to look beyond our boundaries and become greater versions of ourselves.

Aiko "Time Machine"

Aiko "Fly With Me"

Originally released in 1980 on Phase 7’s highly sought-after LP, Playtime. The band recorded at Honolulu’s Broad Recording Studio, not long after Mike Lundy and Aura finished the final touches on their albums (both recently got the reissue treatment on Aloha Got Soul). 

“So Good To Be In Love” is an uplifting Brazilian style disco-funk tune composed by Phase 7’s Les Fernandez. “Could It Be Love” mellows things out with an original soul groover written by bandmate Sandy Pascual.

www.alohagotsoul.com

Phase 7 "Could It Be Love"

Phase 7 "So Good To Be In Love"

New Hawaii

Eddie Suzuki "City Of Refuge" (Sinergia)

For educational purposes, a selection of music from the artists mentioned in the Sounds of Hawai‘i project will be available to stream online. Learn more at: www.alohagotsoul.com

Olomana "So Free" (Audissey)

Chucky Boy Chock "Walking In The Jungle" (Audio Media)

An excerpt from 2017's Soul Time in Tokyo after party at a-bridge in Sangenjaya, featuring DJ Yama, DJ Notoya, Roger Bong, Hideki Yamamoto, Hiroshi Kawanabe, Jun "JxJx" Saito (unfortunately we missed Shohei Takagi's set, and the majority of Kawanabe's and JxJx's sets suffered from clipping (!)). 

2018's Soul Time in Tokyo is April 20, 2018. 
www.alohagotsoul.com

"Soul Time in Tokyo" May 26th, 2017

Soul Time in Tokyo: 2017 After Party at a-bridge (excerpt)

ORDER NOW >> https://bit.ly/2x1hcz4

Following a massive success in Japan with 2018’s Soul Time in Tokyo party, Aloha Got Soul offers its first collaboration with the independent Japanese record label Kakubarhythm for a summer-ready 12” of Hawaiian- Balaeric disco and soulful lover’s rock reggae.

At the 2017 Soul Time in Tokyo, Japanese disco-jazz- ska-dance band Your Song Is Good performed a stripped- down version of Babadu’s “We’re Not To Blame” with VIDEOTAPEMUSIC. For most cratediggers, Babadu’s ultra-rare 1979 Babadu! LP sits at the top of their Hawaiian soul and funk wantlist.

The group takes a playful, laid back approach to Babadu’s original tune with a two-part reggae version of “We’re Not To Blame” featuring Nick Kurosawa and VIDEOTAPEMUSIC in successive covers on the B-side.
First up is young Hawaiian soul singer Nick Kurosawa, lending his incredible talent for a buttery smooth vocal version.

Your Song Is Good "We're Not To Blame" feat Nick Kurosawa

A conversation with Linda Green and Fred Kobashikawa, members of Linda Green & The Tempos, a rock band from Honolulu formed in the mid-1960s when they were teenagers. The band entered a contest called Blast Off, hosted by the local radio station KPOI, and the won 1st place. The prize included the chance to record a single for Reprise Records — and they did, cutting an original tune written by Fred, called “Bossa Nova Love”. 

Their most popular song was “My Little Japanese Boy”, released on the Teen Records label. It became a hit throughout Hawaii. Both songs can be found on YouTube, gathering comments from people reminiscing about their high school days and, of course, reminiscing about the band. 

I first got in touch with Linda in 2016 when my friend Oliver told me about a “sock hop” that was happening, and Linda Green was listed as the special guest of the evening.  I didn’t get a chance to attend that sock hop, but I reached out to the party’s organizer, Doug Oshiro, and he was gracious enough to forward my email Linda. Turns out she had been living in Los Angeles since the 1980s, and only recently moved back to Oahu in about 2013.

Thanks for listening, and for joining us on this trip down memory lane.

www.alohagotsoul.com

Interview: Linda Green & Fred Kobashikawa (Linda Green & The Tempos)

On November 1, 2017, Maryanne and her band performed all new material for friends and family at the Atherton, an intimate venue amidst the bustle of Honolulu city life. It was an experience nothing short of magical — you can hear it in the record.

Listen to "No Solution" on Spotify, Apple Music and more. 
Full album arriving May 2019.

www.alohagotsoul.com

Live at the Atherton

Maryanne Ito - No Solution

Ka Ohe (Roger's Edit)

"DC2NYC2" is taken from the forthcoming release by Dae Han on Aloha Got Soul, due February 2020. 

Download on Bandcamp: https://alohagotsoul.bandcamp.com/track/dc2nyc2

Dae Han is the unsung backbone behind progressive Honolulu acts and international artists. He’s the go-to drummer whenever Japanese rapper Shing02 tours the US and Asia with a full band. In 2019, Takuya Kuroda tapped Dae to organize a band to support the Brooklyn-based trumpeter’s gig at Blue Note Hawaii. Dae also recently teamed up with guitarist Gilbert Batangan and bassist Mark Tanouye to open for Khruangbin. And every year he organizes an always impressive jazz-forward tribute to the late J Dilla.

On the drums, Dae’s swift, technical style compliments every situation, from jazz and funk to R&B, reggae, and hip hop. Much the same, Dae has approached the compositions and arrangements for his debut with craft and purpose.

BLUE, coming in February 2020, came to fruition over the past 12 months with the help of Nelson Cho, the musician and recording engineer behind Lightworks Recordings in Wahiawa, Oahu. Together, the two spent countless hours honing a sound that travels across hip hop, jazz, and house. The resulting songs act as a diary of the artist’s fateful journey from Washington D.C. through New York to Honolulu, where he resides today. Reflecting on joyful highs and the lowest lows, Dae creates a collage for the listener to hear, appreciate, and understand the path he’s traveled thus far.

“DC2NYC2” takes us through darker times spent in New York City, struggling with addiction and living “for all the wrong reasons”. Hopeless, fraught, it wasn’t until he decided to get as far away from the city as possible (i.e. Hawaii) that he lifted himself up and found “a better place”.

Now happily married and working full-time as a music instructor, Dae has reconnected with his love of music, strengthening his chops as drummer while building his skills as a keyboardist, composer, singer and lyricist.

Here, he invites singer Maryanne Ito to join Shing02 and Spin Master A-1 as they share in his story.

BLUE

Dae Han - DC2NYC2 (feat. Maryanne Ito, Shing02, Spin Master A-1)

Listen / purchase: 
http://daehan.bandcamp.com
http://shop.alohagotsoul.com

Dae Han is the unsung backbone behind progressive Honolulu acts and international artists. He’s the go-to drummer whenever Japanese rapper Shing02 tours the US and Asia with a full band. In 2019, Takuya Kuroda tapped Dae to organize a band to support the Brooklyn-based trumpeter’s gig at Blue Note Hawaii. Dae also recently teamed up with guitarist Gilbert Batangan and bassist Mark Tanouye to open for Khruangbin. Every year he organizes an always impressive jazz-forward tribute to the late J Dilla.

BLUE came to fruition over the past 12 months with the help of Nelson Cho, the musician and recording engineer behind Lightworks Recordings in Wahiawa, Oahu. Together, the two spent countless hours honing a sound that travels across hip hop, jazz, and house.

The resulting songs act as a diary of the artist’s fateful journey from Washington D.C. through New York to Honolulu, where he resides today.

Reflecting on joyful highs and the lowest lows, Dae creates a collage for the listener to hear, appreciate, and understand the path he’s traveled thus far.

Dae Han "The Flu"

A mix that's all about Mackey Feary. From Kalapana to Shine, Nite Life to Mackey's solo work, DJ Vinyl Don takes us on a journey through the singer's catalog of music, from the 1970s to the 1990s. 

JOIN the Absolutely Mackey Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mackeyfeary

TRACK LIST: 
Lost Again 00:00
The Hurt 02:59
Luv ‘Em 06:14
You’re Young 09:08
It’s Alright 12:18 
Stop Running From Love (Shine) 15:05
Apartment #703 18:19
Iao Jam (Shine) 22:09 
Love Is On My Mind 24:32
Interview w/ Kamasami Kong 27:36 
Good Times Bad Times 30:19
Nightbird (Live) 33:25
Juliette 35:51
Trestles 38:58
Powerslide 41:51
Island Smile 44:16
Paradise Is Twice As Nice 46:55
You Are The Only One 50:11
Burning Bridges 52:53
~
#MackeyFeary #Kalapana #MackeyFearyBand

Aloha Got Soul Presents

Absolutely Mackey - A Mackey Feary Mix by Vinyl Don

Live DJ set with Vinyl Don, recorded August 31, 2020 for Mahalo Monday.

Mahalo Monday is weekly party in Venice Beach, hosted at the Townhouse and presented by Aloha Got Soul. During the COVID-19 pandemic, DJ Vinyl Don continued to live stream every Monday from his home.

https://alohagotsoul.com/2019/08/05/mahalo-monday-a-weekly-party-in-venice-beach-presented-by-aloha-got-soul/

Mahalo Monday: January 4, 2021 with Vinyl Don

Last year, we pulled together our annual SOUL TIME IN TOKYO party with a tri-coastal touch featuring DJ sets recorded in Tokyo, LA and Honolulu.

RECAP:
https://alohagotsoul.com/blogs/blog/2020-end-of-year-recap-part-2-soul-time-in-tokyo-2020

MERCH by BEAMS: 
https://www.beams.co.jp/search/?label=0058&q=aloha&search=true

MERCH by KAKUBARHYTHM: 
http://kakubarhythm-deliverly.com/?pid=156099217
http://kakubarhythm-deliverly.com/?pid=156099007

BLOG by BEAMS:
https://www.beams.co.jp/blog/tokyocultuart/72174/

Event info:
SOUL TIME IN TOKYO 2020
supported by Technics

DJs:
JUN SAITO (TOKYO)
VINYL DON (LOS ANGELES)
ROGER BONG & OLIVER SEGUIN (HONOLULU)

Streamed Worldwide:
HONOLULU / DEC 12 SAT 8PM
LOS ANGELES / DEC 12 SAT 10PM
TOKYO / DEC 13 SUN 3PM

Locations:
TOKYO CULTUART by BEAMS
VINYL DON'S HOMEBASE
IDEA'S MUSIC & BOOKS HONOLULU

Soul Time in Tokyo 2020: Roger Bong & Oliver Seguin (Honolulu)

Soul Time in Tokyo 2020: Vinyl Don (Los Angeles)

Soul Time in Tokyo 2020: Jun Saito (Tokyo)

Watch the video at The Vinyl Factory: https://thevinylfactory.com/live/vf-live-aloha-got-soul-3/

A Hawaiian garage, psych, and pop 7″ special.

In VF Live, DJs take you inside their HQs, record shops, and studios for intimate sets and mixes. For Aloha Got Soul’s latest VF Live show, Roger Bong and Oliver Seguin play Hawaiian garage, psych, and pop records from the ’60s and ’70s:

“A delightful offering of sunshine oddities and fuzzed out jams from Oahu and its neighboring islands.”

www.alohagotsoul.com

VF Live: February 2021

VF Live: Aloha Got Soul #3 (The Vinyl Factory)

Aloha Got Soul is a Honolulu-based record label breaking the conventions of what music from Hawai‘i should sound like.

Popular tracks by Aloha Got Soul