Breakthrough slack key album earns Bay Area artist a Hoku

‘Slack Key Hauka‘i’

Patrick Landeza
(Addison Street)

Bay Area ki hoalu (slack key) guitarist Patrick Landeza made history last month when his album "Slack Key Hau­ka‘i" won a 2013 Na Hoku Hano­hano Award. It was the first time a nonresident artist and a download-only project has won the slack key category.

Landeza’s milestone win became possible several years ago when the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts reversed the strict "Hawaii residents only" rule and allowed nonresidents to compete in most award categories. Next came separate categories for slack key and ukulele instrumental albums. And so, after two consecutive years as an also-ran, Landeza prevailed and became the first nonresident guitarist to capture a Hoku in the slack key category.

Landeza’s win was a win for ki hoalu fans as well. His release of the album in CD form last month — after the Hoku voting deadline — puts his work in the context it deserves.

Half the songs are originals inspired by his experiences in Hawaii. The others are standards — "Ahi Wela" and "Sanoe," to name two. Landeza’s nahe­nahe (sweet, melodious) technique knits new songs and old into a soothing celebration of traditional slack key.

Concise liner notes reveal Landeza’s family ties to Hawaii and the significance of the songs but don’t mention his slack key tunings. The producers should have included that important information.

www.addisonstreetrecords.com

"Huaka’i"