Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Posted on: Sunday, May 22, 2005
ISLAND SOUNDS
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Original religious material, with jazz undercurrents, is amazingly graceful.
Listen up.
"REVELATIONS" by Michael Chock, with Aaron Aranita; Sugartown Records
• Genre: Religious, jazz.
• Distinguishing notes: Michael Chock, who plays trombone and acoustic guitar here (as well as sing lead vocals), has composed a batch of tunes that obviously combine two passions jazz and religion. With Aaron Aranita, who plays everything from sax to keyboards and bass to percussion, the disc is a harmonic new-age look at two conventional genres that also embrace the vocals of Gail Mack and electric guitarist Joe Siababa. "Rejoice," "I Will Worship You," "Give Thanks: and "Joy" are inspirational originals that have that cool jazz undercoat. "Amazing Grace," the ageless hymn, perhaps best exemplifies Chock's hybrid — mellow, bluesy, still reverential; with new music set to familiar lyrics.
• Our take: Amazingly graceful excursion, and one that's easy to worship.
Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.
- Honolulu Advertiser
Island Mele
John Berger
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Revelations"
Michael Chock
(Sugartown)
Chock played Top 40 music as a member of Greenwood back in the 1970s, but makes his debut here as a singer/songwriter with this album of Christian music. Almost all of the songs are originals, in some cases, Chock wrote new melodies for existing lyrics. He also played acoustic guitar and trombone, as well as doing most of the singing. Co-producer Aaron Aranita provides the reeds, winds, bass, percussion and synth strings.
Most locally written Christian music puts "the Word" ahead of rhyme, rhythm and meter, so it's of primary interest to other members of the congregation. Some of Chock's writing is of this kind, and Aranita's arrangements are sometimes more than his synthesizers are capable of, but the two come up with some interesting ideas. For instance, reworking "Amazing Grace" as jazz and setting the familiar lyrics to a new melody pays off amazingly well.
Aranita also blends acoustic instruments and synthesizers on the uptempo "Give Thanks."
John Berger, who has covered the local entertainment scene since 1972, writes reviews of recordings produced by Hawaii artists. See the Star-Bulletin's Today section on Fridays for the latest reviews. Contact John Berger at jberger@starbulletin.com.
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- Star Bulletin
Discography
The first project is Revelations, a compilation of ten contemporary Christian songs. The CD is available on CD Baby and will be distributed elsewhere soon. There are no singles from this CD at this time and there are three tracks available to be heard with this EPK. Two minute samples of every song are available on the CD Baby website under Michael Chock.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
A studio band put together to record contemporary Christian songs with a flavor of Brazilian jazz, rock & classical music. Michael Chock is the songwriter of the original songs that were recorded. Taking some songs from inspiration of the Holy scripture and also putting the words of some famous public domain hymnals to new melodic tunes. Formerly a professional singer and musician for over ten years and more recently worship leader and worship singer for ten years, Michael Chock brings a varied background to the world of contemporary Christian music. The arrangements and the majority of the instruments and sequencing were done by world class Brazilian jazz saxophonist and keyboardist Aaron Aranita, leader of the jazz band Eastbound, and personal friend of Michael Chock since the age of thirteen. Lending her smooth vocal stylings is veteran singer Gail Mack, veteran of numerous record productions in jazz and contemporary recordings. Known as the voice of the trio George Street, Gail has sang in venues too numerous to count. Joe Siababa is the band leader of New Hope Leeward, the fastest growing church in Hawaii. Armed with his electric guitar, Joe's sound is distinct and refreshing.
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