Stories — Track

Last week BBC Radio 6 DJ Craig Charles gave a huge shoutout to Aloha Got Soul before spinning a Jazzman reissue of Lemuria's "Hunk of Heaven". After the song ends, Craig calls out to his listeners asking for "funky facts about Hawaii". Here's a handful of gospel truths about Hawaii's funk and soul music scene.

Nothing compares to that laid-back island sound—Hawaiian soul music—so cruise, it's like sticking your hand out the car window to slice the wind on your way toward the North Shore. Your fingers take flight like a free bird on a backdrop of green mountains, pineapple fields and island music.

My excitement for Aloha Got Soul shot to new levels this weekend after learning that Funk and Soul DJ Craig Charles broadcast those three precious words—aloha got soul—to the eager ears of thousands of music fans worldwide on BBC Radio 6.

"You Win, I Lose" by Hal Bradbury Hal Bradbury's This Is Love, what I consider to be one of the Holy Grails of Hawaiian LPs, fell into my hands via a very generous person (thank you S.M.). DJ Muro selected one of the best songs on the album, "You Win, I Lose", for his Hawaiian Breaks mix. Hal Bradbury's haunting vocal intro immediately sends a vibe of love and sadness to the soul. More Hal Bradbury: "Call Me" Hal, if you're out there, I'd love to talk to you about your music! Please drop me a line at alohagotsoulgmail.com. Aloha...

If all you got is love, what would you do with it? Record an album of love songs, of course! And that's just what Filipino crooner Jonathan Potenciano did with I've Got Love, his first U.S. release. Jonathan's been an entertainer in Las Vegas for over 20 years, and he's currently performing with JAMM: Jonathan and Music Magic (totally different than the Music Magic I've been blogging about). They've been together for a long time now, check out the photo below! A soulful vocalist whose love for Frank Sinatra is evident in almost every tune on the album, Jonathan has...