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  Hula Joe & The Hutjumpers

Featuring Gin Rummy and Big Wave Dave
1999 Black & Tan Records
SQ Issue:  Spring 2000 - Volume 10, Issue 2

Hula Joe & The Hutjumpers are:
Hula Joe: Zanuck Kapala Lindsey, guitar, vocals, ukulele; Gin Rummy: Ginai, vocals; Big Wave Dave: Dave Townley, vocals; Hawaiian Punch: Greg Sardinha, steel guitar; Rory Flores, drums, vocals, percussion; Randal Yamamoto, acoustic bass; DeShannon (Screamer) Higa: trumpet, vocals; Pat Hennessey, trombone; Dave Choy, tenor & alto sax; Todd Yukimoto, baritone sax.

With a name like Hula Joe, you expect grass skirts and hula girls.  Well, this band will make any grass skirt swing.  The band has great tempos that will make you feel like you are swingin’ on the island.  All of their tunes have a distinct Hawaiian sound without losing their swingability.

There’s something for everyone on this CD.  War Chant 2000 starts it off with a very Hip Hop feel, letting you really explore the fabulous connection of Hip Hop and Lindy.   If you aren’t into Hip Hop, don’t worry, because tunes like Grasshackin’, Boiled Peanuts, Three Little Lessons and Waikiki Chickadee are great jazzy tunes that will keep your feet happy and on the dance floor.

The musicianship is top-notch.  A great quality sound that comes across throughout the CD.   The vocals by Gin Rummy are again, top-notch.  Her silky voice really compliments the Hawaiian sound.

The worst part of this CD is that there are too many “campy” schticks.  The intros will have some silly bantering or they may end the song in the silly banter.   This is better left to the live shows where you can play off the audience.   However, the music is solid and definitely makes you forget the intros.

This CD is definitely the cure for the Winter blues and will keep you swingin’ until the robins come back!  Until then, close your eyes and you’ll be swingin’ in paradise!

Aloha!

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