Kawao’s ‘Determined’; James’ New CD

Kawao’s fourth full-length release

Kawao is back, following up a successful DVD release last year that earned a Hawaii Music Award and nomination for a Na Hoku Hanohano Award.

Walt G. and China‘s fourth full-length album release, Determined, made its way onto shelves and into the hands of fans last month.

“The title Determined is to let the fans and listeners know that we are determined to always create new and original music,” says Walt G.

Fans got a taste of the new 10-track album with the early release of the single Push Comes To Shove, which has taken over the No. 1 spot on radio stations throughout the state.

“This album has been two years of work, and we really took time to lay down the tracks, then come back and revisit,” says Walt G. “This process really allowed us to focus on the music and tweak it exactly how we wanted it.”

And in Kawao fashion, the track list is filled with feel-good original music: Push Comes To Shove, Going Crazy, Serious For Me, House Party, Bounce, Never Gonna Give (featuring Peni and Papa T.), One and Only and She’s Got It Going On.

Justin James teams up with Jake Shimabukuro on ‘Perfect Sometimes’

“For this album we did one cover track, Sweet Baby,” adds Walt G. “We don’t usually do covers, but it’s a special song that I remember singing when I was younger, and it came out really good.”

Keeping with previously released songs, Walt G. and China take a unified stand in the songwriting, creative input and vocals on the albums. It’s what, Walt G. says, “makes us a duo.”

It’s simple, groovy with some added something – that’s what fans have grown to expect …

Justin James follows up on the success of his 2007 debut album Sundrenched with the recent release of Perfect Sometimes.

Sundrenched‘s hit single, California, was featured on several hit shows including The Hills, Laguna Beach, Las Vegas and What About Brian. It also earned him Best Male Vocalist honors at the 2007 Los Angeles Music Awards, all leading to a deal with Sony International and producersMikal Blue (Colbie Callait) and Andrew Williams (Five for Fighting).

“I was looking for someone to produce my album, and was listening to Colbie Callait’s album and I just loved it, so I contacted the producer and he came on board,” says James. “We brought in Alanis Morissette‘s drummer, Colbie’s bass player and then, as we were recording, I thought of Jake Shimabukuro for this song I wrote called Perfect Sometimes. So my management team reached out to Jake and fortunately he liked the song and came on board.”

James was back in the Islands six months ago to record his promotional music video for the song

Perfect Sometimes. He just couldn’t get enough, so he returned again in May to perform at a few familiar spots.

Perfect Sometimes was recently picked up by Hollister Company as well as Delta Airlines and McDonald’s. (For more, go to www.justinjamesmusic.com) …