Global Fusion music is vibrant music with a positive take on a world facing global environmental and social problems.

15 MP3 Songs
WORLD: Hawaiian, POP: Pop/Rock

Show all album songs: Earth Patriot Songs


Details:
Kumanu, an innovative new music group from the island of Hawai'i, has released a new CD entitled Earth Patriot. Kumanuâs global fusion music is the driving focus of this recording and their message comes through loud and clear. It is vibrant music with a positive take on a world facing global environmental and social problems. It is also a call to action at a time when these issues seem insurmountable.

"In 1990 with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Earth Day there was a reawakening of environmental awareness across the United States and around the world," stated Howard Shapiro executive producer of Earth Patriot. âI thought an album addressing environmental and social issues would be of importance at the time."

Shapiro continues, "Although I've waited a long time to see Earth Patriot completed, I feel the same reawakening today. Many of us have come to realize that we must face global challenges through a cooperative effort of our political leaders and, more importantly, as individuals, collectively around the world."

The eclectic and innovative new sound of Kumanu is culled from the vast reaches of the Pacific and bridges boundaries of race and nationality. Kumanu consists of 12 musicians, vocalists and dancers blending several musical genres to create a new "global fusion music" that reflects their diverse multi-cultural background. Kumanuâs members include Native Hawaiian, Native American, African-American, Asian and European ancestry.

Several well known Hawaiian based artists make up Kumanu and include Damon Williams, James McWhinney, Rupert Tripp, Jr., Tioni Tam Sing, Bruce David, Doug Espejo, Adam Kay, Randy Skaggs, Marsha Hee, Kamaluhia Woolley, Gregg Perry and Howard Shapiro.

Gregg Perry, producer for Earth Patriot and music director for Kumanu noted, âThe Earth Patriot project offered Howard and I the opportunity of having 5 lead vocalists interpret our music in their own unique styles and the final product has far surpassed our greatest expectations. We watched these phenomenal performers come together enthusiastically in support of our vision and they truly âgave it upâ with incredible grace, power and articulation.â

Guest artists include Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins, Emmy Award winning singer/songwriter Faith Rivera, and Pamela Polland and Mikuak Rai.

Many of the vocalists and musicians from Kumanu were members of the group Hawaii Island Performing Artists which performed on the We Are Ohana - Songs of Hope CD. We Are 'Ohana was highly acclaimed and local music critic John Burnett stated, "It is the best written, conceived and produced pop CD recorded to date on the Big Island."

The Ohana CD continues to successfully promote awareness and create a sense of hope regarding the issue of substance abuse and addiction, especially that of crystal methamphetamine (ICE). In November 2005 the group Kumanu was created and began performing for the live concert series We Are Ohana - Working Together to Heal Our Islands. The concerts share a message of hope and promote healthy and positive lifestyles for youth.

Kumanu currently presents a program that incorporates music from the Earth Patriot and We Are Ohana CDâs. It is the sincere desire of the members of Kumanu that their music is a catalyst to encourage a grassroots discussion of how communities might solve the global problems that we face today, creating solutions that transcend governmental and nationalistic boundaries.

The producers have in development proposals for a feature length film, a childrenâs animated weekly series based on multi-ethnic Earth Patriot characters, and educational materials addressing social and environmental issues. The CD enthusiastically states, âNow is the time to stand with Conviction of the Heart and proclaim, We are Earth Patriots!â