Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., sings “Kauai Maile” on a new CD to raise funds for The Kauai Philippine Cultural Center, which had its groundbreaking ceremony March 29 in Puhi. “A Place for All,” features eight songs produced and composed
Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., sings “Kauai Maile” on a new CD to raise funds for The Kauai Philippine Cultural Center, which had its groundbreaking ceremony March 29 in Puhi.
“A Place for All,” features eight songs produced and composed by Kauai’s Art Umezu, who recruited an all-star lineup of vocalists and musicians to perform each number.
“As a composer, I couldn’t ask for more from people who sing from their hearts,” Umezu said.
The CD is described as “music for all … songs of hope, love and compassion.”
It includes a new children’s song, “Kauai Rainbow,” Sherieme Glovasa and Daphne Sanchez, both Kapaa High graduates.
The title track,” A Place for All,” is sung by Miss Kauai Filipina 2015, Marielle Yago-Yano, who recorded the song ion Forest Grove, Oregon, where she attends Pacific University.
“You’re always in my heart,” is sung by Jonathan Obiano of Kapaa, lead singer and keyboardist with local rock band, “Paradox Lockson.” The song was dedicated to Braddah Iz Kamakawiw‘ole after his passing in 1997 but never recorded until Obiano recorded it in Los Angeles, where he now resides.
Nick Castillo of Waimea sings his 1996 hit, “I’ll Always Be Your Friend,” which was recorded to help raise funds for Kobe earthquake disaster in Japan in1995.
Daphne Sanchez’ “Color The World With Love,” is performed by students at Wilcox school for it May Day program.
The opening song on the CD, “Sunrise Sampaguita,” is a piano instrumental performed by Ronnie Esteban, leader and member of the HNLV in Las Vegas. Sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines.
Christine Valenzuela-Calzado and Daphne Sanchez collaborated as a duo on “Watching Over You,” which was recorded after the flooding disaster in Manila in 2008. Kauai Visayan Singers and Carvalho sing on the chorus on this one.
The song carries special meaning to Umezu.
“Everybody sang their hearts out and did well except with limited equipments and undesirable acoustics in the warehouse, there were challenges and a major glitch in several parts of the song was detected after recording,” he said.
After more than six years of trying fix the flaw, Umezu said they were finally able to make it “acceptable but certainly not perfect.”
“So, I ask of your forgiving hearts when you hear “Watching Over You,” to please remember the joyful and compassionate voices of the many voices of the many singers who sang their hearts out for this endeavor,” Umezu said.
The CD is dedicated to the late Ernie Pasion, co-founder and past president of the Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce.
It was recorded at MIRAI Studio Kauai in Wailua by engineer Albert Genovia.
The CD will be on sale at KFCC events and Filipino community organizations.
To purchase the CD, contact Bobby Ayonon, KFCC president, at 639-6556
