Mana Poly All-Stars

A huge untapped market (at least by most mainstream press outlets) of Polynesian artists resides in Utah and releases like Mana Poly All-Stars Riddim + Blues aren’t given their full due. Hopefully, that will change sooner than later. Most reggae groups in Utah can’t cut it and have a Trustafarian (trust fund + Rastafarian) attitude and nature. Mana Poly is legit and have the R&B to back up their traditional reggae roots. Lyrics on songs like “Gunshots” enforce this and encourage working with the realities of the little noticed underbelly of Utah’s streets by dealing with issues of small decisions that bleed into huge mistakes of life-and-death ramifications. Tight harmonies abound on this release and put the blues behind the riddim in this excellently produced work. Local vocals usually don’t have the true depth to complement this style of music but Mana Poly blessedly pull it off. This is perfect party music. Put it in and crank it up with the All-Stars. - Jon Paxton, City Weekly Magazine (1/15/09)

The Annual Legends of Rasta Reggae Festival Tour (formerly known as the Annual Bob Marley Festival Tour) has officially added Mana Poly All-Stars to their performer's roster for the Universal Love Tour 2006. This tour will place Mana Poly All-Stars in a line-up with nationally recognized artists Wayne Wonder, Ky-Mani Marley and more. - x

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 13, 2006 (PROVO, UT) – Mana Poly All-Stars (MPA) has been nominated for Best Out of County group/artist at the Fifth Annual Orange County Music Awards (OCMA). This is their second nomination for a music award in less than three months. One track from their debut album, “S.pacifik Musik”, will be featured on a widely-serviced compilation album and distributed to the music and film industry. MPA is honored to be recognized outside of the Polynesian community and realize that this is another step in the right direction for the group.

Mana Poly All-Stars released their debut album, entitled “S.pacifik Musik”, in October 2005 under their own record label, Poly All-Star Records. Since then, this skillful sensation was nominated for Best R&B at the First Annual Southern California Music Awards, selected as the Salt Lake City, UT finalist for the 2006 Virgin College Mega Tour and has signed with the nationally recognized Annual Legends of Rasta Reggae Festival Tour: Universal Love 2006. As you can imagine, MPA is rapidly gaining mainstream recognition. Their next performance will be in Santa Clara, CA on April 7, 2006 at the Avalon, Silicon Valley’s “most elegant nightlife destination.”

Much like the Grammy Awards, the OCMAs are designed to showcase and award talent found in all musical genres. The OCMAs were the first to help promote local musicians and to showcase the mass musical talent found in the community. This event will be held at The Grove of Anaheim on Saturday, April 8, 2006. Visit www.orangecountymusicawards.com for more information.
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- MPA Press Release

Virgin Records is hosting their Annual Virgin College Mega Tour (VCMT) 2006 during the month of April on 18 major college campuses across the nation. Mana Poly All-Stars has been selected as the one and only finalist from Utah to compete for a performing spot on this tour. Being selected as a finalist will allow them to include one of their songs on the VCMT compilation CD to be handed out at every tour stop. This year, Virgin Records anticipates reaching 65,000 students. Whether or not MPA gets the touring spot should be announced by the end of the month. - x

Mana Poly All-Stars are living up to their name. The local eight-piece reggae-fusion band has won two high-profile awards within the past two months, adding to its reputation as one of the best-regarded bands -- and the most fun -- in the region.

The group won Best Topical Song for "Gunshots" at the eighth annual Independent Music Awards in January. And despite not being from Hawaii, the band found out in February it won Best Reggae Album in the Hawaii Music Awards.

Awards aren't the goal for the Salt Lake City musicians, who all were raised in California. (Two of the eight still live in California, but travel to Utah for gigs.) "The best thing about music is that when you listen, you feel no pain," said Nela Otuafi, lead singer and keyboard player.

"The people in the band are family first," said James Rubi, guitarist and the only member who does not have Polynesian ancestry. (His family is from the Philippines.) "Playing onstage with them onstage is icing on the cake."

But receiving awards for what members call "urban island music" has become a blessing as the band seeks more notoriety. Its debut album, "S.pacifik Musik," was released in October 2005 and was nominated for Best R&B at the first annual Southern California Music Awards. The band is now touring behind its second album, "Riddim + Blues," which was released in July.

The band has been together for a decade, and group members came from six groups -- hence the name. Members share their minority status and their faith. Six have served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and most band members eventually congregated to Utah based in part on their faith.

While the ensemble has earned a reputation as a great live, party band, the song "Gunshots" was its first topical song. Otuafi's sister died in a drive-by shooting, as did a relative of another band member; both victims were living in California at the time. "The vibe is positive, but there might be some pain and hurt behind it," Otuafi said.

"The song leaves people with hope," said Jillana AhLoe, band manager. "We are deeply saddened by the recent acts of gang of violence in our community and are desperately trying to make our stand against it."

As for the Hawaii Music Awards, AhLoe will travel to Hawaii in April to pick up the award, as the band has other concerts planned around that time.

After all, awards aren't the goal for this talented band.

- David Burger, The Salt Lake Tribune (3/15/2009)

January 24, 2007 (OREM, UT) – Mana Poly All-Stars (MPA) has been nominated for New Artist of the Year and Reggae Artist of the Year at the Tenth Annual Hawaii Music Awards. These recent developments bring the music award nomination count, for their debut album, to four in just a little over a year’s time. MPA is honored to be recognized by such a prestigious organization and are grateful for the continual support of the Polynesian community.

Mana Poly All-Stars released their debut album, entitled “S.pacifik Musik”, under their own record label, Poly All-Star Records. Since then, this skillful sensation won Best Out of County Band at the Fifth Annual Orange County Music Awards, was nominated for Best R&B at the First Annual Southern California Music Awards and has signed with Pacific Hawaiian Music Distribution, one of Hawaii’s major media distributors.

The Hawaii Music Awards are an annual contest held at the beginning of the year that recognizes artists and musicians living in Hawaii, Hawaiian and Polynesian musicians living anywhere in the world and international artists who perform Hawaiian or Polynesian-style music. These artists are eligible to compete if they have released commercially-available music of any style the previous calendar year. Winners are determined by online voting from a public audience around the world. To cast your vote, visit www.hawaiimusicawards.com .
- X

Up and coming artists, Mana Poly All-Stars, are 1 of 6 nominees for R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR at the 30th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Winners will be announced at the celebration and awards show on June 20th.

Paste this link in your browser for more information:
http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=5838
- Honolulu Advertiser

Hawaii Music Awards founder Johnny Kai announced winners in 29 categories shortly after the end of the Grammy telecast on Sunday. Mana Poly All-Stars were announced as winners of Reggae Album of the Year.

As in previous years, nominees do not have to be residents of Hawaii, and their nominated work need not have been recorded in Hawaii, released by a Hawaii-based record label or distributed in Hawaii to be eligible.

However, voting participation this year was limited to once per e-mail address rather than once per address per day. Kai reports more than 1.6 million “hits” in worldwide voting between Jan. 15 and the close of voting Saturday.

Winners in eight categories will receive Recognition Awards in lieu of regular awards because they were the only nominees in their categories.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony at April 4 at Mamiya Theatre. Tickets are $30 to $45. Call 951-6699. Also visit www.hawaiimusicawards.com for more information.
- Hawaii Music Awards

April 11, 2006 (PROVO, UT) – Mana Poly All-Stars’ (MPA) walked away with their first music award on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at the Fifth Annual Orange County Music Awards (OCMAs) held at The Grove of Anaheim in California. Although they faced tough competition, MPA proved victorious by winning Best Out of County Artist/Group. Their song entitled “Come Thru” is featured on the OCMA 2006 compilation album which will be distributed to the music and film industry. MPA accepts this award and recognition on behalf of all Polynesian artists and musicians who are currently or have been involved in the struggle to put Polynesians on the mainstream map, as only a handful of Polynesian artists have been able to do thus far. As MPA keyboard player Taniela Otuafi stated, “When [Mana Poly All-Stars] win, we all win!”

Earning their first music award was a sweet ending to an awesome weekend for Mana Poly All-Stars. The good vibes started on Thursday as MPA began their journey to northern California’s bay area to participate in Polynesian Underground’s hottest event of the year. Invasion of the Bay 2006 was held on Friday, April 7, 2006 at Avalon-Silicon Valley’s most elegant nightlife destination. About 500 people showed up to witness MPA’s bay area debut, including fans that traveled from as far as Oregon and Utah to attend.

Mana Poly All-Stars thank not only God for their continued success, but also all of their family, friends and fans who continually shower them with love and support. This is only the beginning of many great things to come. Join the Mana Poly Mailing List at www.mpallstars.com for exclusive updates on what to expect from your favorite All-Stars in the near future.
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- x

Apr 1 - 30, 2007

Warren Miller Entertainment is looking for original music for "Tales from the Trail" internet videos (webisodes), which are a high-profile promotional device for a major automobile manufacturer. Last year, WME edited 35 webisodes, all of which can be seen here (under “videos”).

This years videos will feature off road, ski/snowboard, and mountain bike events.

Congratulations to the Sonicbids artists who were selected:
Mana Poly All-Stars
Armchair Cynics
Colin Lake and Wellbottom
Triad
Yellow No. 5

- http://wwwfjtrailteams.com