Makin Thru the Breakthru

general info

There are some album covers that say nothing about the artist and others that just spill the beans. The front man fron Maui's own Gomega, Kanoa Kukaua steps forward with his first solo project"Makin Thru the Breakthru". Title cut and first track sets the stage for the albums message. It speaks about how we all need to find the positive part of ourselves to pull us out of the mess we may have made in the past and "BREAKTHRU" which is clearly the potential this album has for the artist.

Kanoa wrote, played, sang everything on the album and had the sight to share a part of the many muses to whom he pays tribute visually by introducing himself dressed as his six alter egos on the cover. On the drums you got Cornbread Kekiwi, Johnny Kakio on the stand up bass, Fatso Matsuda lays down some Phat keys, Christian Lanepore on lead guitar, Louie Lou on rhythm guitar and Kanoa Kukaua on vocals. (You have to actually open the package to find out the names but that's just one of the many interesting features). Once you give the disc a test drive you're given a surprising combination of Country, Rock, and Funk with vocals in the league of D'Angelo ans Stevie Wonder, and songwriting that gives a fresh twist to familiar life themes.

"After the Tone" is destined to be the next wireless phone ad campaign with it's catchy vocoder voice "Leave your message after the tone..." a song written inspired by Kanoa witnessing man outside of the club trying a man outside of the club trying to connect with someone in his circle for the date. Club track "Don't Stop" features Mailani Makainai of Keahwai and Mighty J fame. The two voices blend and grove together like a hot couple on dance floor. Ooh la laa. Smokin... Jenn "JROQ" Wright of Kanalo and Mighty J shares her skillz as hip hopster rapper to give the positive message a more urban delivery. The combination works and no fowl language! Hmmmm imagine that...

Kanoa made a fine choice in selecting "Dr.Trey", aka Tracey Tarada as his engineer. This is the same "Trey" that helped launch local musical luminary Jake Shimabukuro's career with Pure Heart. The Doc was definitely "in-the-house" helping shape this musical montage that has national potential. With each listening the next layer of creativity is revealed and you begin to truly appreciate this artist's connection to his art and commitment to his craft. Not the sort of manufactured "Big Lable" brand but the home grown "REAL" stuff. If you are looking for one of Maui's own contemporary musical forces to entertain and help retrain your brain then you've found the right band. Expect to see this band's progress charted in the future issuses of Billboard Magazine.

written by John Gruler

Check out another site from this user http://www.kanoaofgomega.com/

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