Soul Time In Hawaii, a series of DJ shows spotlighting Hawaii’s locally made R&B and soul music, is marking a second anniversary. To celebrate, the R&B-loving music collectors, DJs, producers and archivists in the Aloha Got Soul collective who present the shows are hosting a series of events at five different Honolulu venues, Tuesday through March 26.
The aim? To connect “the old with the new, the local with the global,” says Soul Time’s Roger Bong.
Among the highlights: singer-songwriter Mike Lundy’s first live performance with a full band of music from his album, “The Rhythm of Life,” in more than 25 years.
It all started in 2014, when Aloha Got Soul hosted a dual-city party in London and Honolulu, calling it Soul Time In Hawaii. Since then, the group has been hosting it monthly in Honolulu, London and Chicago.
DJs from Chicago and London are flying in to help host the anniversary parties. Amsterdam’s Red Light Radio is also coming to Hawaii for the first time, hosting exclusive live broadcasts that will be streamed online.
Lundy’s live performance takes place at Bevy on March 26, with a band assembled specially for the show: Lundy on vocals and guitar; Jeannette Trevias on vocals and keyboard; Alika Lyman on bass; and Scott Schafer on drums.
In January 2015, Aloha Got Soul launched as a record label with a party at Bevy that also featured Lundy. Its first release was a 7-inch vinyl single featuring two songs from Lundy’s Hawaiian funk-and-soul album, “The Rhythm of Life.” The music was originally released in 1980.
Aloha Got Soul has now put together a full-length compilation album highlighting Hawaii’s musicians of the ’70s and ’80s. Lundy is one of 16 artists on the “Aloha Got Soul” album of music from “Hawaii’s R&B era,” recorded between 1979 and 1985. The album, compiled and annotated by Aloha Got Soul’s Roger Bong, is on the Strut Records label.
The album features 16 rare Hawaiian soul, disco and R&B tracks. It includes Greenwood, a favorite from the ’70s club scene, and artists who are still active, including Nohelani Cypriano and Brother Noland.
The schedule of events:
Tuesday, 9 p.m.-midnight: Listening session from Roger Bong’s home, broadcast via redlightradio.net. Featuring rare vinyl selections presented by Soul Time In Hawaii DJs Bong, Oliver Seguin and Hideki Yamamoto.
Wednesday, noon-6 p.m.: In-store listening session, Hungry Ear Records, 2615 S. King St. Featuring a half-dozen local DJs across a variety of genres, including Hawaii Public Radio’s DJ Mr. Nick and Ooklah The Moc’s Ryan “Jah Gumby” Murakami.
Thursday, 4-6 p.m.: Artist forum, Red Bull Hawaii, 36 N. Hotel St. (upstairs). This “talk story” session includes local musicians Mike Lundy and Kit Ebersbach (Don Tiki), along with DJs Danny McLewin of Psychemagik (London) and Cedric Bardawil (Soul Time In London).
March 25, 6-9 p.m.: Strut Records Compilation Release Party, James After Beach Club, 3045 Monsarrat Ave. (a boutique men’s shop, next to Kaimana Pantry). Featuring the new ‘Aloha Got Soul’ album.
March 26, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.: Soul Time In Hawaii, Two Year Anniversary, Bevy, 661 Auahi St. Featuring: Mike Lundy live, in his first full band performance in 27 years — since 1989 — and a roster of Soul Time DJs, including McLewin, Bardawil, Soul Time In Chicago’s Bill Olson and Soul Time In Hawaii residents.
Find out more at AlohaGotSoul.com.
