reggae – HomeyHawaii

Ooklah the Moc 'Every Posse' - the album cover

Ooklah the Moc’s Every Posse – a Vibrant Roots Reggae Jam

September 3, 2018 Adrian Manuel Comments 0 Comment

Few bands command attention. Even fewer command respect. Oahu’s reggae supergroup Ooklah The Moc grabs both in a way that makes them bona fide legends in the local music scene, their name a key marker for Hawaii’s roots reggae obsession. Ooklah The Moc revitalized the reggae subgenre with dynamic albums doubled down by commanding live performances across the Pacific. Their authoritative lyrics and bumping island rhythms spoke to the underdogs, the downtrodden, and the benevolent believer. Ooklah The Moc’s latest…

Malino – Jammin’ From the Start

August 22, 2018 Adrian Manuel Comments 2 comments

Few reggae bands are as nostalgic and modern as Maui’s own Malino. This four-piece outfit rose during the early 2000’s, a time when Hawaii’s music scene was dominated by the superstars of the ‘90s and thus, wide open for a generational takeover. Malino’s debut in 2004 put them on the map in a big way, playing gigs and headlining shows state-wide, their debut album making them an overnight sensation. Their sophomore effort, From the Start, though released in 2015, feels…

The Green ‘Marching Orders’ – a Triumphant Arrival into Mainstream

July 27, 2018 Adrian Manuel Comments 3 comments

It’s hard out there for reggae bands in Hawaii. Some want to jam and make records, others want fame and fortune. Others – true to old school reggae fashion – just want to spread the genre’s influence. There is perhaps no greater hurdle for Hawaiian music artists than the vast Pacific that stands in the way of mainstream success. Such is where we find The Green, having broken through that barrier thanks to the diligence and dedication poured into Marching…