How is THIS SONG Number 1 on iTunes Folk Charts in Canada and Australia???
"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Kaulana Kanekoa and ukulele ace, Vince Esquire of Maui's amazing Hawaiian, Psychedelic, Rock Band, KANEKOA is burning up the iTunes Charts
/24-7PressRelease/ - June 10, 2006 - "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Kaulana Kanekoa and ukulele ace, Vince Esquire of Maui's amazing, Hawaiian, Psychedelic, Rock Band, KANEKOA is beating out Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Peter, Paul and Mary, Damian Rice, and many other huge, classic acts.
Check this band out as they will play a 'Special Early LA Show" at The Mint, Thursday, June 15 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. This band is destined for Greatness.
"Yeah!" Vince Esquire exclaimed when told of the news... "It's an honor and a privilege to be Number 1 in Canada and Australia. "Somewhere" is not very indicative of our band's music, but it shows we can rock with the best of them, and our slower songs are just as powerful. Nice One."
Producer, Dave Cochrane, who has worked with acts from Lionel Ritchie to Sheryl Crow to Public Enemy says, "iTunes is the best indication to the major labels of what's really happening on the streets. For a song like this to be so popular with no major marketing dollars or retail exposure is amazing. This band is blessed with a magic that I rarely see. It's a first in the short history of iTunes to see an independent record company release beat out the majors."
Jonathan Block, Chairman of Major Hana Records says, "This is a sign from Kanekoa of things to come. I've worked with a lot of bands over the years -- Kanekoa will be the biggest, by far. Vince Esquire is a future legend -- if you are lucky enough to be able to see him play ukulele or electric guitar -- don't miss the opportunity. Kaulana Kanekoa's deep, soulful voice captivates while his rhythm ukulele playing holds down the five components that comprise Kanekoa. Shawn Michael is the nastiest, mad scientist, bass player in the state of Hawaii. The boys have played together for close to 10 years -- Vince was 12 when they started out. Kanekoa is the only band in the world fronted by two electric ukuleles and will be the first band ever, with Hawaiian roots, to have worldwide distribution."
"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" was made famous worldwide by Hawaiian artist Isreal Kamakawiwaoole, his version has been heard in many feature films, television shows and commercials for years. The "Maui Version" was recorded at Manao Radio Studios on September 11. 2005 in Wailuku, Hawaii. Block explains, "A friend of mine who was music supervisor for the film "Marylin Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School" called to ask if we could record the song. They were able to license the song for the movie, but not the soundtrack, and the song is intregal to the film as it starts the picture out. We recorded at 10:00AM, right before I got on the plane back to LA to mix the record with Dave Cochrane. It was the last song we did for our 'Ohana Compilation, released in late September last year on Maui and iTunes. It was an instant hit -- it was Number 1 on the iTunes Pop Compilation Charts in 14 countries for it's first two months of release.
Slowly the "Maui Version" begain to gain popularity and it was played on "The Pride of Brittan", featuring Tony Blair on the BBC. By the end of January, "Somewhere" had made it to Number 1 on the Folk Charts in the US and Canada.
Recently NPR radio stations have been spinning the Kanekoa/Esquire song. Their version has a diffeerent vocal tone to it as well as a more youthful, energetic sounding ukulele track. Block says, Advertising agencies have begun calling requesting the song for different markets throughout the US.
"The song has never been released as a single and Kaulana and Vince have the appeal to communicate it to an entire new generation of music fans. It's been exciting to see it develop these past 8 months." Block adds, "We have created a technique that sends MySpace users directly to iTunes and have actually seen the chart position go up by as many as 20 positions overnight. We've taken our time to really learn the iTunes and MySpace technologies and taken advantage of many worldwide internet marketing opportunities. To be Number 1 in these countries so many months after release shows how special this song is. I do feel the song is growing and will be an international hit single before it's all said and done. Stay tunned..."
We will.
.
Kanekoa will be featured in the upcoming Farrelly Brothers film, Billy The Great".
Look for these upcoming June iTunes releases from Major Hana Records:
Kanekoa - "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" - groundbreaking 9 song album.
Submission Soundtrack - "The Songs of Submission" from the upcoming feature film starring Corbin Bernson, Simonne Jade Mickinnon and Claire Carrey.
The Fred Wesley Spirit - "Hymns and Spirituals" - The Funk Legend is Back!
The Mighty Invaders - "Invasion", Remastered Classic Reggae Album recorded at Bob Marley's legendary Tuff Gong Studios.
Vince Esquire - "Higher Level" - Guiter virtuoso comes alive!
Dave C - "Mango Treats" - Multi-instrumentalist and Super-Producer steps out with his first international artist release.
Other Major Hana Records 2006 releases:
Monyca - 15 year old Hawaiian surfer, hula dancer, actress, singer and model.
Bradah Larry - Upcountry Maui's finest.
Christopher "Boom" Helekahi - the amazing voice - hails from Hana, Maui.
And for the Funk lovers:
The Fred Wesley Funk Explosion
Pee Wee Ellis
Major Hana Records Debut Release
'OHANA - Volume One
record release party: Saturday, November 12
8:00pm-1:00am ($10.00)
at Casanova's in Makawo
Vince Esquire, Kanekoa, Bradah Larry and the Hailiimaile Band, Kaleo, Uncle Boy Kanae, Boom, Patsy, and Yuko -- the 8 artists/bands on the album will all be performing live.
There will be special guest appearences.
The album has generated a lot of interest worldwide on iTunes.
'Ohana - Volume One has been the most downloaded Pop Compilation Record in the World for five weeks running. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Kaulana Kanekoa and Vince Esquire has been the #1 Pop Compilation download on iTunes in the US, UK, Germany, France, Holland, Luxembourg, Canada, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium and Italy since it's release 5 weeks ago.
Other songs by Vince Esquire, Bradah Larry & The Hailiimaile Band, Kanekoa, Kaleo, Patsy and Yuko have been top 5 downloads in the US, UK, Italy, Canada and Luxembourg.
Kaulana Kanekoa and Vince Esquire's version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" will also be featured on the upcoming soundtrack album for the feature film "Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School" starring Robert Carlyle, Marisa Tomei, Mary Steenburgen, Sean Astin, David Paymer, Camryn Manheim, Danny DeVito and John Goodman.
"Somwhere Over The Rainbow" was recently featured on "The Pride Of Brittan" a BBC telecast w PM Tony Blair.
Also, Vince Esquire and album producer, Dave Cochrane, have 5 songs each in the upcoming feature film "Submission" starring Corbin Bernson, Simone Mackinnon, and Claire Carey.
'OHANA - Volume One is now available for digital downloads on iTunes and the CD will be released in Hawaii on November 14th.
Enjoy this debut CD and stay tuned for more exciting releases from Major Hana Records.
For further information contact:
Jonathan Block at 808-248-7549 or majorhana@aol.com or
Major Hana Records
Box 595
Hana, HI 96713
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=80632810&s=143441
Aloha......Aloha.......Aloha.......Aloha........Aloha.......Aloha......Aloha......
A new record company, Major Hana Records, launches in Hana and
releases a debut compilation CD, "'OHANA - Volume One", featuring
22 songs (13 of which are in the traditional Hawaiian language and 9 in
English) from 8 of the Island of Maui's most talented artists and bands.
Jonathan Block, Chairman of Major Hana Records, has been a manager in the
Music business for 24 years and has worked with artists including, Suzanne
Vega, Shawn Colvin, The JB Horns featuring Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley
and Pee Wee Ellis, G. Love & Special Sauce, and Fun Lovin' Criminals.
"'OHANA - Volume One" was produced by Dave Cochrane, who has written for and/or produced The Commodores, Lionel Richie, LL Cool J, James Brown, Public Enemy, Sheryl Crow, Paula Abdul, Atlantic Starr and many others.
The Artists on "'OHANA - Volume 1" are:
Uncle Boy Kanae - Hawaiian celebrity, radio personality, MC, host of countless Hawaiian events;
Bradah Larry & The Hailiimaile Band - Bradah Larry Golis, who plays regularly at the Grand Waila and the Four Seasons, Maui's two premier 'Westside' hotels and his boys from upcountry;
Kaleo - formerly of the famed Ho'opi'i Brothers;
Vince Esquire - recently named "Maui's Best Band 2005" by The Maui News;
Kanekoa - Maui's favorite, Hawaiian, Reggae, Rock, jam band;
Boom - plays regularly at The Hotel Hana Maui, the Island's premier 'Eastside' hotel;
Yuko - a superbly talented Kipahulu resident who hails from Japan;
and Patsy - the "Mayor of Hana" who has a magical voice.
Block notes that "touring the world for the past 20 years with a variety of bands has given me the opportunity to learn first hand how different countries sell and present new music to their people. I'm excited to have the opportunity to introduce great Hawaiian music to the UK, Europe, the Far East, South America and other areas that don't even realize Hawaiian music exists. A lot of kids here in the US don't even know about the Hawaiian music, culture, and history. This is by far the best record I have ever been a part of and look forward to more great albums to come."
Producer and multi-instrumentalist Dave Cochrane adds, "This is the most natural, interesting and creative record I have had the opportunity to produce. The debut release of Major Hana Records is the culmination of my 20 year association with Jonathan Block and I look forward to making many more great records for the world to enjoy for years to come."
Aloha......Aloha.......Aloha.......Aloha........Aloha.......Aloha......Aloha......
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- billy, bob, cochrane, dave, dylan, esquire, farrelly, great, itunes, kanekoa, lionel, peter, richie, the, vince
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