Album Notes

Hawaii’s acoustic guitar trio Kohala and the following special guest artists present a collection of lullabies.

Guest artists: Lorna Lim, Bryan Kessler, Robi Kahakalau, Malani Bilyeu, Brother Noland, Betsy Curtis, Kevin Teves, Jake Shimabukuro, and Pauline Wilson.

KOHALA BIOGRAPHY (pronounced Ko hall ah)
Kohala is a trio that performs an acoustic blend of contemporary Hawaiian, folk and jazz reflecting the beauty of the landscape and culture found in the Kohala region on the Big Island where the acoustic guitar trio lives. Lead guitarist, GRAMMY Award winning Charles Michael Brotman, is a classical guitarist who began playing contemporary jazz after completing graduate studies in music. Rupert Tripp and Charlie Recaido grew up in Hawaii playing island music with a finger picking style on steel string guitars. The combination of the trio's diverse influences and backgrounds results in a very distinctive sound.

KOHALA's music - instrumental arrangements for acoustic and classical guitars - reflects the pristine beauty of the Kohala region on the Big Island where the trio lives. Kohala fans are people of all ages who appreciate the beauty of acoustic instruments and great guitar playing. Lead guitarist, Grammy Award winning Charles Michael Brotman, is a classical guitarist who began playing contemporary jazz after completing graduate studies in music. Kevin Teves and Charlie Recaido grew up in Hawaii playing island music with a finger picking style on steel string acoustic guitars. The combination of the trio's diverse musical influences creates their own distinct sound - an acoustic blend of contemporary Hawaiian, folk and jazz.

AWARDS:
 GRAMMY AWARD (2005): Charles Michael Brotman, Producer, Slack Key Guitar Volume 2 (Palm Records)
 HOKU AWARD (2005): Charles Michael Brotman, Producer, Hula! Big Island Style
 NAMMY AWARD Finalist: "Best World Recording": BACK TO KOHALA (2003)
 HOKU AWARD Finalist: Kohala, Cool Breeze (2003), Lullaby (2001), Flying (2000)



RADIO CHARTS:
 USA: Top 10 on New Age Reporter and NAV
 Japan: Top 10 on Oricon


KEY VENUES HEADLINED:
 Japan: The Blue Note, Osaka; Sweet Basil, Tokyo; The Blue Note, Fukuoka
 Hawaii: The Hamakua Music Festival; Maui Arts and Culture Center; McCoy Studio Theater; Aloha Theatre; The Atherton Theatre

RECORDINGS:
"KOHALA" (Palm Records1998), "ISLAND TREASURES" (Palm Records 1998), "FLYING" (Palm Records 2000), "LULLABY" (Palm Records 2001), "BACK TO KOHALA" (Palm Records 2002) "COOL BREEZE" (2003)

REVIEWS
 Wind and Wire
"These three artists have recorded some of the most beautiful acoustic instrumental tunes I've
heard in a few years - this music is fantastic! Kohala are exceptional talents ... ", Bill Binkelman

 The Honolulu Advertiser:
"KOHALA...A new ethereal beauty with quiet uncluttered arrangements...The beauty and charms that constitute Hawaii." Wayne Harada

 The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, John Berger
"KOHALA...Call this exquisite!"

"The tranquillity and delicacy of their arrangements...the interplay between the instruments...merits attentive listening."
 Billboard Magazine:
"Palm Records; their top artist is KOHALA, an acoustic guitar trio residing on the Big Island poised to conquer Japan..."

 Aloha Joe Radio :
"Cool Breeze ... mesmerizing ... KOHALA ... these talented Big Island artists who continue to amaze us with their sensitivity, inventiveness and magical sounds."

 Islands Magazine:
"For simply beautiful guitar instrumentals, look no farther than ...KOHALA..." Dewey Schurman

 Honolulu Magazine:
"One of the most soothing CDs we've heard in a long time is KOHALA..." John Alves

 Contemporary Jazz Review:
"Brotman is certain to have a bright future in contemporary jazz" Dan Margules