Stories

"Lihue" by Nohelani Cypriano (1995) This might not be the version of Nohelani Cypriano's "Lihue" you're used to hearing, but it's a damn good contender. From here 1995 CD release, What's Going On, this "Lihue" successfully swings as much as the original, even though the 1977 is one irreplaceable, downright funky groove. It's a worthwhile take, especially if you're digging for Hawaiian modern soul. I say speed it up a little and you have an updated dancefloor classic, bird calls included.

"Back In Love" by Nohelani Cypriano Leave it Nohe to bring you a ballad that you'll fall in love with immediately. The title track to her 1991 CD release, "Back In Love" is a tender Hawaiian modern soul classic. Only thing is, not many people know about this one! Nohelani Cypriano is most famous for "Lihue". But in the 1990s she continued to release noteworthy albums, including Back In Love and What's Going On.

"Unconditional Surrender" by Nohelani Cypriano I love Nohelani Cypriano's voice, a lot of people do. And I love her funkier tracks like "Lihue" or "Communication" by Golden Throat. So I was surprised when I heard this Hawaiian modern soul track on her CD, Back In Love, released in 1991. "Unconditional Surrender" was the very last song on the album, and in my opinion it's one of her best. Check out Nohelani Cypriano's music here, plus a 22-minute mix of outstanding tracks from Hawaii's Diva of Soul.

"Round and Around" by Mike Lundy. This is why I love Hawaiian rare groove music. Mike Lundy's "Round and Around" encircles my head with a laid back tropical groove. Mike blends the perfect balance of jazzy pop and funk. I can't get enough of this track!

"So Sassy" by Mike Lundy To prove my point about Mike Lundy's "The Rhythm of Life" being a masterpiece, here's another gem from the LP. This one's called "So Sassy": Subscribe to Aloha Got Soul on Youtube.