Aziel Shows that Three is a Charm with "Tha3Logy"

by HuiMusic

In a rich time of talent coming from Hawaii there has been an artist that has endured a ton of life tasks this year while preparing for his new CD.  He has guest appeared on many CD’s in Hawaii and released his own and now Aziel has released his latest CD “Tha3LOGY” in March and took a firm hold of his future.  

I came across Aziel through artist promoter Dennis Bader back in 2002.  But it wasn’t until I got a hold of Tiny CD#4 did I get the scope of the talent that Aziel has.  Aziel covered a Steve Wonder track called Ribbons in the Sky and it was perhaps one of the best songs performed by a local R&B/Hip Hop artist I had ever heard coming out of Hawaii.  Since then, Ribbons in the Sky has always had a spot on the Lava Lounge and will continue to do so representing the level of talent Hawaii has amongst the music community.  

Aziel is steeped in a family of love, music and God that is apparent in his upbringing and dedication to his family of which he is a husband and a father of five.  Music was a guiding source of pleasure for as long as he can remember and seems to lead him to the bright side of life during challenging times.  

It’s always cool to listen through a collection of an artists releases to hear the growth of both the artist and human.  Life has a habit of mixing in joy with drama, love with pain and faith with doubt.  Aziel’s newest CD encompasses all of the aforementioned emotions with passion and hopes.  

The CD “Tha3LOGY” is a representation of what time and patients can yield.  Getting the right people involved is key in releasing a project that deserves to be bought.  Assembling the right production team is paramount to solid release and executive producer Won Kim nailed it.  Guiding the sonic magic and superb engineering is one of Hawaii ’s top engineer/producers Wendell Ching. Also in the production mix was Kainoa Delo from Kapena, Aziel, and Lastwon Productionz.  

The songs are well crafted and take you through a well rounded tour of the abilities and emotions of Aziel.  His vocal abilities are simply flawless.  Going from his power voice to his falsetto is what any artist could only hope to achieve with professional training.  

The vocal arrangements are reminiscing of Motown and help to spread the listening audience to all ages.  Even the Island Contemporary songs on the CD have a fresh sound due mostly to catchy melodies and hooks.  I REALLY dig the track Mary Jane.  Real fun track!  That track should really light up any play list for locally programmed radio.  

The track Spend My Life With You is a tremendous R&B ballad featuring artist Cherie.  It has the earmarks of a timeless track that if it gets into the “ Love Circle ” of some of Hawaii ’s love songs.  You can hear that track as a new addition to the play list on the R&B show on the Lava Lounge this month!  Another “chicken skin” track is I’m All Ready To Fall.  The warmth of the lyrics, arrangements a warm tone of the production really cuts into your heart.  Another great love song.  

The musicianship and production is real is big time and is such a pleasure to listing to…….I mean the WHOLE CD too.  I have high hopes for this CD.  If local radio can’t find a track to support off this CD it’s their loss.  

“Tha3LOGY” is a solid representation of what the right team can produce.  Wendell Ching is truly a major player in the progressive sounds of Hawaii .  But it would all be in vain if you don’t have the talent.  Aziel is truly blessed with a talent and is surrounded with a massively talented and supportive family that has the gift of music.  

“Tha3LOGY” should be in everyone’s CD collection if you’re a fan of real Soul and R&B/Contemporary.  “Tha3LOGY” has the ability to do some serious sales not only in Hawaii but the mainland.  With a support base that extends from San Francisco to Hawaii , Aziel is primed for a launch to the next level of his career.  

In true HuiMusic fashion, Aziel took some time in his schedule to do a Q&A.  

Here’s Aziel:  

• Where were you born?

I was born in San Francisco , CA .

• How many family members (sisters, brothers)?

I have 2 brothers Rev. Alexander Toeaina, Rev. Albert Toeaina, and 2 Sisters Ofaira Taito, and Lagi Williams who has passed.

• Do you have family (married, kids)?

I am married and have a total of…5 kids.  Abriel, Alanis, Lucky, and my twins Alize and Aziel Jr.

• What high school did you go to?

I attended Jefferson H.S., IN Daly City, CA., Berkeley H.S., Wilson H.S., and graduated from J. Eugene Mcateer H.S.  All in the Bay area.

• Is there musical talent within your family?

Oh yeah!!  I come from a musical family.  Both my brothers not only sing but also play Piano, Bass, Guitar, sax, and Trumpet.  My sister Ofaira sings and plays both the Piano and Sax.

• How old were you when you started to sing?

Man, as long as I can remember, probably when I started talking.

• Did you perform in any school events while you were a kid?

I performed at most of the talent shows.

• What was your first event you performed at?

The first event I ever performed at was a talent show called the St. Elizabeth talent show in Daly City , CA .

• Who was the first person to take professional notice of your talents?

I gotta say my brother Rev. Alexander.  He was apart of an old professional church group called “Gospel Players”.

• When/where was your first experience in a studio?

I been in many home studios…you know, with a mic and a computer. I think that’s how everybody started. But the first time I ever actually went into a real recording studio was in San Francisco in 1992.  I was trippin on how the sound was so different from a home studio.

• How many CD’s have you released?

I have released 3 now.  Show U Love, Take U Away, and now my third called Tha3LOGY.

• How many guest appearances have you made on a CD?

I did appearances with artists such as Pati, Mr. Tripp, Fiji , Riccy Boy, San Quin, and Tiny CD 4.

• Do you write your own songs?

I write most of my original songs, but there are people out there that have helped me and inspired me on couple songs.

• Who produced your first CD?

Rev. Alexander Toeaina, Myself, and Mafiuso Entertainment.

• How did your CD release party go?

It was great!!  The vibe was totally there.  Everyone involved did an awesome job.  B.E.T. and Ten Feet both Rocked House.  Even my label mates who sang back up for me did good.  Cherie, Phat Pat from FOCUS, and Billy Faoa, you guys is the s**t!!!

• How is radio supporting the new CD?

It’s not as supportive as we anticipated.  100.3 played “Spend my Life With You” a remake Cherie and I did of Eric Benet and Tamia.  In Oahu , It hit #1 on the top 5 at 5 and it just fell off.  In Kauai , They had about 5 songs in Rotation and 2 of them hit #1.  1 of the songs was the most requested song in Kauai .  I don’t know about the other Islands , but if I’m not mistaken they usually follow Oahu .  I guess its politics.

• Who produced the latest CD? 

My man Wendell Ching, Kainoa Delo from Kapena, myself, and Lastwon Productionz.

• Where was it recorded?

It was recorded at Wendell Ching’s studio called Studio 1 in Halawa.

• Who are the musicians on the CD?

Oh man, There was some talented musicians that was apart of this project.  Wendell Ching, Jeff Rassmussen, John Hart, Kainoa Delo, Jay Kalaola, Kekau Mersberg, Salaam Tillman, Chris Yuen, and Sepurona Toeaina.

• What kind of performance plans do you have through the rest of the year?

I want to start doing more Outer Island shows.  Guam , Vegas, Seattle , California , Utah , any where people love Island music.

• Do you have a website I can send people too? 

You can visit myself and my label mates at www.lastwon.net. 

• Do you have management? 

My Producer Won Kim handles all my affairs. 

Won Kim

P.O. Box 28003

Honolulu , HI . 96827

(808) 368-4244

Lastwonlwp@aol.com 

• What’s the best thing about being an artist in Hawaii ?

The best thing about being an artist in Hawaii …hmmmm…Probably all the support I get from Island people.  I’m from San Francisco, but since I been on the Islands, man…something about the compassion and love of the people just draws you to love it more…I guess that’s the Aloha Spirit.

• What’s the hardest thing about being an artist in Hawaii ?

The hardest thing is to crossover into mainstream.  It’s hard everywhere, but Hawaii seems to be a little harder.

• Who would you like to give props too?

Everyone who tried and still trying to pursue a music career…It’s hard, especially nowadays with all the downloading, but it’s the love of music.