Deeper Blue

Album Review

Showcasing a new lineup (which now includes Rupert Tripp, Jr.), Deeper Blue involves much of the same basic styling as Kohala's previous work. There's a bit more emphasis placed on the stylistic mix of the three guitarists now however, with some interplay between lead guitarist Charles Michael Brotman and his nylon-stringed classical approach, and the steel-stringed fingerpicking of Tripp and Charlie Recaido. The end result is a perhaps overly calm set of originals. By the time the wind chimes are enlisted as an instrument, one knows this wasn't made for excitement. The mood is relaxed, sunset-worthy. The playing by the trio is solid throughout; they harmonize well together and solo admirably. The set certainly doesn't have all of the complexities of a slack key set, but that isn't really the point: this isn't traditional Hawaiian music, but rather more in the realm of adult contemporary with a Hawaiian inspiration. Quite a nice set, but individual tastes will play quite a bit into overall reception.