I love “Hawaiki”. Meditate to it, drive playing it. Whenever you feel you need some positive vibes, listen to this album! “Hawaiki” no doubt showcases Taimane’s talents, her wonderful music ability and is an album worth recommending.
Purchase Taimane’s “Hawaiki” on Amazon
ARTIST: Taimane
ALBUM: Hawaiki
DURATION: 10 Songs (37 Minutes)
ALBUM RELEASE DATE: September 24, 2022
- Hawaiki
- Ladybird
- Pipeline’s Daughter
- North Shore PArty
- Pulotu
- Maluhia
- Goddess Rising
- Bora Bora Sunset
- Afterparty
- Goddess Rising (Acoustic)
For my last review of Taimane’s album, I raved about her album “Elemental”.
And I have been following Taimane on social media, as she had major plans in 2020, but were dashed due to the pandemic. But I wished her the best because music is the way she made her living and I know for many musicians, especially living in Hawaii, it can be financially tough.
So, I wished nothing but the best for Taimane, because she’s one of the most talented and exciting musicians on this planet.
Taimane Gardner is probably the most well-known female ukulele artist worldwide.
Born in Honolulu, Taimane (which means “diamond” in Samoan) is of Samoan, German, Irish, French and Swedish descent.
And at the age of 13, she was discovered by Don Ho and studied under ukulele star, Jake Shimabukuro.
She is known for performing with a five string Kamaka ukulele and the majority of the time, performing barefoot. She has an elegance and grace when performing that you feel captivated to watch and be amazed by her incorporation of flamenco into her ukulele playing.
And in September 2022, she returned with her sixth album “Hawaiki”, a nationwide tour and the upcoming November release of her first signature ukulele, “The Moon” created and distributed by ukulele maker, Enya, things are looking quite positive for the ukulele virtuoso.
For Taimane’s theme for her sixth album “Hawaiki” has a theme.
Taimane starts out with “This is a story of Hawaiki. The spirit lands where gods came from. Where gods and goddesses live”.
“Hawaiki resides in the sky just above the horizon. Inside the green flash. This is a story of Maluhia, who has passed through Hawaiki to find her mana”.
So, for those not familiar with the certain names or Hawaiian words. Mana in Hawaiian means “energy and life source”. It is believed that we gain mana by following the light, and we deplete mana by allowing any form of darkness into our lives.
Maluhia (peace), is when one chooses to avoid bad mana.
So, the title track from Taimane is a song which features Taimane telling a story, but also singing. Once in awhile, we are lucky to get tracks featuring Taimane’s beautiful and soothing vocals along with her ukulele playing. And this track is just a beautiful track.
In fact, meditate to it. Play the song, close your eyes, and just imagine a peaceful setting, and listen to the words and vocals of Taimane, and her beautiful ukulele playing. Very calming.
The second track is “Ladybird” is one of those surf vibe tracks that isn’t to fast, more of a mid-tempo song that relaxes you and while beautiful, it is just the starting catalyst for her next track, her first single from the album, “Pipeline’s Daughter”.
“Pipeline’s Daughter” is 100% created by Taimane. And while there are surf classics from the ’60s from The Ventures, Dick Dale, The Beach Boys, Taimane shows that she can create her own surf music. And as I love this single on the album, which features Taimane and band just jamming effortlessly, let’s get to the main album.
Already showing has the ability to take on variety of genres, she grew up playing for Don Ho and playing “Wipeout” and in a way, it’s like a return to her roots.
While many got a taste of it through her 2012 album “Ukulele Dance”, where Taimane gave us her awesome version of “Bodysurfing”. You are getting a good amount of this island style surf music courtesy of Taimane. From a musician from the island versus the mainland.
And it continues on with the fourth track “North Shore Party”, my goodness, a beautiful song but once you reach the two minute range, Taimane goes off showcasing her lightning quick flamenco strumming techniques.
The fifth track is “Pulotu”. And “Pulotu” is the resting place of those passed on in the Polynesian narrative of Tonga and Samoa. In Samoan, there is a mythology of Samoa about Pulotu presided over by the god Saveasi’uleo (father of Nafanua, the Goddess of War in Samoa). A beautiful track showcasing Taimane’s ukulele with violin and angelic background chorus in the background.
The sixth track “Maluhia”, is as bright track that captures the word “maluhia”. Peace and a calming track on this album.
While the seventh track “Goddess Rising” and a song showcasing Taimane’s vocals which starts out calm and then showcases her and the band just jamming and love the music from everyone on this track!
The eighth track is “Bora Bora Sunset” and another beautiful track on this album and another track showcasing Taimane’s vocals. A beautiful song and she release a music video for the song, which was shot on her birthday while hanging out with friends and enjoying the sunset on Royal Hawaiian Catamaran.
The ninth track is “Afterparty” and is another island, breezy type of track with wonderful music. Taimane really captivates you with her ukulele playing and her dreamy vocals.
The final 10th track on this album is “Goddess Rising (Acoustic)” which is just as awesome as the original.
Overall, Taimane’s sixth album “Hawaiki” just fits perfectly in her oeuvre of music. This latest album features songs that feel more personal as it is close to her roots and in someways, after the pandemic, a song for people to listen to and find their own “maluhia” and to have more positive vibes, positive mana. Because 2020-2021 were some tough times for many.
So, in many ways, I look at “Hawaiki” as an album of hope and a shout out to everyone and encouraging them to take in that positive mana and through music, giving that gift for those who truly needs that light in their lives.
Personally, I love “Hawaiki”. Meditate to it, drive playing it. Whenever you feel you need some positive vibes, listen to this album!
“Hawaiki” no doubt showcases Taimane’s talents, her wonderful music ability and is an album worth recommending.
