My Peoples

Although Kapakahi, a reggae-ska band from San Francisco, has titled its debut album “Twisted, Bent and Confused,” the album is anything but. To the contrary, each song is perfect, polished and refined to bring out the best qualities and facets of the music played.

This is because the band cannot be simply described as reggae-ska. The influences of pop, Latin music, hip hop, funk, jazz and rock can be heard throughout the entire album, combined to create a distinctive, catchy sound.

Kapakahi first began in April 2005 as a five-man act. Now with four musicians the band has gained popularity because of their ability to blend the musical preferences of each musician into a well-defined, upbeat sound.

The band consists of Mike Dayao, lead guitar and vocals, Steve Salta, drums, Chris Jones, bass and vocals, and Nick Rous, saxophone. After almost two years of playing several big name venues, mainly in the Bay Area and in various other locations, the group has released its first album.

“Twisted, Bent and Confused” has 13 tracks, each a funky fusion melody with a reggae-ska background.

The first song on the album, “Body Glove” is a quick, fast-paced song. The crazy jazz opening and the catchy chorus make it a great song to start off the album. Rous’ masterful saxophone skills add a wild feeling to the music, while Dayao’s vocals are loud and clear. He uses the music and the tone of the song to his advantage, bringing out the dance feeling in the song.

“Africa,” the next song, starts off with a jungle opening, which softens into a more traditional reggae sound. The song picks up pace and then slows down, giving each musician a chance to play his best. Salta’s drums can be heard beating out a jungle theme, while Jones’ bass creates a beautiful melody with Dayao’s voice.

An example of their rock side, “She Could Be the One” starts off with a guitar, sounding like an alternative band. The music itself becomes slower, but the lyrics and the saxophone are fast-paced. This third track on the album combines a Latin sound with a slow rock feel, mixing Rous’ jazzy saxophone with Dayao’s fast, hip-hop style lyrics.

The fourth track on the album, “My Bad,” is a slow, island song. It channels the quiet, colorful spirit of Hawaii, but the chorus is catchy and fun. When Dayao sings “my bad,” the track seems like a casual around-the-fire type song.

Salta’s drumming is upbeat and steady, while Rous’ almost Latin saxophone adds a jazzy step-step quality to the music.

The first four songs off “Twisted, Bent and Confused” are only a small example of the great range in Kapakahi’s music. There is a definite reggae feel to the music, but each track has its own unique style. It seems difficult to mix so many genres together, but the band plays with ease.

For being a debut album, the band plays with experience.

Rous’ saxophone is beautiful, adding flavor to the music when Dayao’s voice stops. Jones’ ready bass keeps up the variety in the music, adding a rock, funk or Latin beat when necessary. Salta’s drums are wonderful. He keeps the rhythm for the other musicians but is able to hammer out his own, turning his drums and percussion set into more than simple background music.

Dayao is a subtle frontman, using his own island heritage to bring something more to the music, but still a great collaborator with the other musicians. His smooth voice ranges from a slow, quiet conversation to a quick, crazy shout.

The artists are able to come together and use their differences to create an awesome, fun album.

Each song has its reggae-ska roots, but Kapakahi has been able to add so much more.

In the sense that they twist, bend or confuse their music to create an entirely new sound. Their album as a whole is a prime example of a band that loves their music, coming together to make a harmonious, creative album that blends all types of melodies, styles and personalities.

For more information about Kapakahi and their debut album visit their Web site kapakahimusic.com or myspace.com/kapakahi.

http://www.ulv.edu/ctimes/042007/arts_stories/cdreview.htm - Lilia Cabello/Campus Times Online

Ok, so i get this album and I am thinking to myself "This is going to be some island music that I am not really going to like". So I do what any good reviewer does and I put it in the car glove box and forget about it. Fast forward to me on a long road trip looking for something different to listen to and I remeber the c.d. in the glove box. I say to the dead bugs on my windshield "This is going to be a long drive and it's about to get longer" and then I put in the c.d. all I can say is that it has not left my car stereo yet, this album is simply amazing. Now I know that I am going to raise some eye-brows here, but I think that this band is better then Sublime, yeah I said it and I will stand by it. GET THIS ALBUM!!!!

http://kcscradio.com/index.php?start_from=20&ucat=&archive=&subaction=&id=&; - Martin Svec/KCSCRadio.com

"Kapakahi just released its second independently produced CD, "Light Up.” The band performed the agreeable title track, which exposed Dayao’s “addiction to smiling,” a bit of Smokey Robinson, some righteous reggae and ska, plus a crowd pleaser called "[She Could Be] The One.” When the band returns this Saturday to open for Blondie, let’s hope it includes in its opening set a couple of other songs from the new CD — particularly the danceable “Closer.” This was an unexpected find — a band that plays appealing originals for both listening and dancing."
- L. Pierce Carson - Napa Valley Register -

"That being said, Light Up will continue to be played on my headphones because the sheer funk power seeps in and makes you wonder, "Did the band turn the amp up to 11 to reach this level of talent?" EPs are generally a taste of what is to come, I say bring it on. George Clinton look out, Ozomatli beware. I see big things in Kapakahi's future."
- Iain Axness - thepier.org

When thinking of bands that incorporate loads of groove and a bit of horns into their music, in relation to this site's spectrum, ska or big-band indie rock often comes to mind. Last year, an unsigned act by the name of SWEATER CLUB came out and proved that thought false by writing an album full of great horn-and-groove-driven post-hardcore songs. While their West Coast brethren in KAPAKAHI don't bring the rock as much, they definitely know how to bring the jam on Twisted, Bent, And Confused, a self-released effort.

KAPAKAHI's greatest strength is their tightness as a band. Their songs, while sometimes longer than desired, never drift from their central focus. "Africa" is a prime example of this as much of it consists of rhythmic jam sessions, yet as a whole it never enters un-listenable territory. "One Good Deed" is another jam-based tune with a heavy reggae influence that's heard both in the bass guitar and the vocals. However, this band does indeed have a commercial aspect to their sound, as heard in "She Could Be The One." It's a laid-back tune with insanely smooth vocals that makes for the album's most memorable chorus.

While KAPAKAHI are as tight as they come, their album tends to drag on and on and on. Its thirteen tracks cover nearly an hour of music, and when the basic foundations of the sound (focused rhythms, smooth vocals, and tons of horn) are unchanging, the result is an excess of music. That said, Twisted, Bent, And Confused is a recommendable album for fans of reggae-infused, horn-driven pop or for anyone looking for a relaxed piece of background music.

http://www.pastepunk.com/reviews.php?v=2189 - Corey Schmidt/PastePunk.com

I'm always up for the range of different things that XO publicity throws to me from time to time. They represent a whole realm of people that are pretty talented and deserve exposure, so I'm always happy to review their stuff. With a crazy name like "Kapakahi" I stepped up to hear what they had to offer. For a word I could barely pronounce, I began to wonder what to expect. Their reggae style of ska was a weird yet pleasant splash of water that woke me up.
Complete with quick wrist action, island-sound guitar flicks, this soulful wrangling of music is sure to instill a beat inside your brain. Enriched with layers and layers of sound that create a metaphorical musical cake with a top that stretches to the sky with vertigo causing height. In a genre that Sublime and 311 have made famous, it is hard to find creative and risk taking bands that take from their sound. "Island sounds" always sound to me like they have the most fiery ambitions that can hypnotize on the spot. It also surprised me that all these unique sounds we conjured up by four guys that take their passion for reggae and pop, sprinkle on some flavored ska, and brew up this hometown Hawaii feel that gets the ladies groovin'.

From the start "My Bad" sounds like their is some personal reflection going on and the guitars reflect with long and unsure notes. As the song progresses, a more steady and upbeat song emerges to make up for what every they have done. The songs style moves right along with swift guitar hooks and the joyful time that always accompanies a sax solo. I really like "Stone Believer" because of the way that the guitars and the motion of the song all seem to be skipping across a pond like a soft and smooth stone. The acoustics are perfect insulators for the wild sound. The heavily accented vocals curve and climb like a vine around the music. One of the final songs on the album, "Free" starts a sugar binge raced pace that sounds a lot like a clip from a Sonic the Hedgehog game. Flairs flash in the background as every bell and whistle is put to good use for this bass heavy song with another killer sax solo. Take notes from Billy Clinton, Saxes are cool.

Being that bands of this style haven’t graced me with a worthy album as of late, I was glad to hear how successful and carefully thought out this effort has been. Never judge a book by its cover because this unusual group name offers some of the most soulful music that the warm water island style has launched in some time. This wasn't in my ideal range of listening at first but I don’t really have any problems with it after being exposed to this kind and ample selection of funky beats that infiltrate the mind with infectious and catchy rhythm. Someone Lei me already!

http://www.skylinepress.net/review339.php - Pernell/SkylinePress.net

I am not going to lie about this, but when I read the bio for Kapakahi and it mentioned a hip hop influence, I went into this album thinking the worst. I was wrong, actually dead wrong on this. Kapakahi is a perfect blend of reggae, soul, hip hop, and so much more and by the time you are done listening to this album you get the same feeling you did when you first heard Sublime. The whole ska scene has sort of been a dead issue for a while now, but this band would have unfairly been lumped into that genre back in the day. They are so much more than that scene had to offer. If you like a soulful voice then look no further than this album. The vocals are outstanding and with the heavy, bass overdubs you will be flowing right along with Kapakahi. This is a solid, record chalked full of catchy, upbeat, reggae driven tracks with an extra kick of spunk for good measure. A must have! (JK)

http://www.allageszine.com/musicreviews/reviewsk - AllAgesZine.com

When one thinks of new independent music coming from the Bay, the names E-40, The Pack Too $hort and Mistah F.A.B stand out, but that’s not all the “Yay” has to offer.

That’s where Kapakahi comes in. Originating from San Francisco, this four-piece band is in love with island culture and it’s obvious in their debut album titled “Twisted, Bent and Confused.” The title basically serves as an English translation of their band’s Hawaiian name.

Kapakahi’s music is a catchy mix of Latin, reggae, hip hop and pop all rolled into one eclectic musical style.

“Twisted, Bent and Confused” starts with a few excellent tracks that perfectly introduce the group to casual listeners.

The opening track “Body Glove” is a catchy upbeat song that will have you humming the hook after the first two times you hear it.

“She Could Be the One” is the first track on the CD that shows the band’s different styles. The hip hop and jazz influences are apparent in this song and give it a soca (a blend of soul and calypso) feel. “My Bad” is a great song for those late study nights when you need something to kill the silence.

Kapakahi’s saxophonist, Nick Rous, stands out on every song in which he’s featured. The sax, along with Enrique Padilla’s Latin influence, make the music that much more interesting and unique.

Unfortunately, “Twisted, Bent and Confused” is front-loaded and once it hits track five the quality drops significantly.

That ill-fated track is “Nice and Slow,” which is outshone by the two songs before it, “She Might Be the One” and “My Bad.” The most memorable part of the song is the occasional lyric that is meant to make listeners want to dance but somehow ends up sounding like something from Dashboard Confessional. Other than that, it’s a forgettable song like much of the rest of the album.

The rest of the album sounds like one continuous song. Neither “One Good Deed” or “Huhu” bring anything interesting to the table, but “Rush” brings the nice Latin feel that a few of the early tracks had.

It’s unfortunate that “State of War” seems tacked onto the end of the album. It’s one of the better tracks but doesn’t mesh with the other 12. It would’ve been nice to see a few more songs like “State of War” mixed with the others.

Most of the album is dedicated to having a good time and trying to get girls. The fact that one song is called “Tipsy” should say enough. The band demonstrates its ability to make musical and political statements, and it wouldn’t hurt if they had focused a bit more on them.

Overall, “Twisted, Bent and Confused” is a promising debut album. Vocalist Mike Dayao is difficult to understand at times, but not to the extent of many other reggae artists. Reggae is an acquired taste, but if you want to ease into the genre, Kapakahi is definitely a friendly and poppy entrance.

Rating: 3/5

http://www.newu.uci.edu/showArticle.php?id=5611 - Jeffrey Lo/New University Online