Malo 'e lelei,
In light of the recent tsunami caused by the Hunga Tonga volcano, all of the proceeds from "Live & Direct" on Bandcamp will go to relief efforts in Tonga. Aisea Taimani is working with a team of family and friends in the San Francisco Bay Area to raise support. Please join us as we pray for Tonga and prepare for the road towards restoration and recovery.
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee."
-John Donne
Live & Direct is a live concert recorded at The Art Boutiki in San Jose, California. Aisea Taimani + Minor Islands is a diverse collective of artists, activists and beloved community who came together for one night to spread love, peace and unity through the power of music. "Live & Direct" is a collection of spirituals, a Hymn in Taimani's native tongue and original songs that details Taimani's journey back to his Tongan roots, his faith in God and his journey closer to home.
As you witness the live sound of Minor Islands, you will experience an eclectic fusion of reggae & gospel, funk & soul, rock & hip hop and a healthy dose of island roots music. This collective is the culmination of deep & diverse friendships, from all over the Bay Area, working towards justice and peace.
The message is simple and clear.
Give thanks, look how far we've come,
Don't stop, our work here ain't done.
May this record accompany you live and direct, closer to home.
If you have lost your way, you are not alone.
For more info on the Relief Fund for Tonga
Contact:
Aisea Tamani
@aiseataimani // IG & FB
aiseataimani@gmail.com
510.714.7856
released January 15, 2022
Artist name: Aisea Taimani + Minor Islands
Label name: Minor Islands
Genre (primary and secondary):
World, Reggae
Copyright year: 2021
Copyright owner: Aisea Taimani
Album Artwork: Marie Kaisa
Track list & credits:
Jahmekya
Written by: Aisea Taimani, Jubilee Fohe
Gee Lelevaga: Vocalist
Marie Kaisa: Vocalist
Kate Lamont: Vocalist
Sam Fineaso: Drums
Ian Santillano: Electric Guitar
Jr. Lelevaga: Bass Guitar
Ed Pasalo: Rhodes & Organ
David Kaisa: Piano & Synths
Lionel Briones: Saxophone
Bill Smolik: Trumpet
Addicted
Written by: Aisea Taimani
Gee Lelevaga: Vocalist
Marie Kaisa: Vocalist
Kate Lamont: Vocalist
Sam Fineaso: Drums
Ian Santillano: Electric Guitar
Jr. Lelevaga: Bass Guitar
Ed Pasalo: Rhodes & Organ
David Kaisa: Piano & Synths
Lionel Briones: Saxophone
Bill Smolik: Trumpet
Take Your Time
Written by: Aisea Taimani
Gee Lelevaga: Vocalist
Marie Kaisa: Vocalist
Kate Lamont: Vocalist
Sam Fineaso: Drums
Ian Santillano: Electric Guitar
Jr. Lelevaga: Bass Guitar
Ed Pasalo: Rhodes & Organ
David Kaisa: Piano & Synths
Lionel Briones: Saxophone
Bill Smolik: Trumpet
Mai’s Wisdom
Written by: Aisea Taimani
Performed by: Evangelia Taimani
David Kaisa: Rhodes
I Can’t Love
Written by: Aisea Taimani
Marie Kaisa: Vocalist
Gee Lelevaga: Vocalist
Kate Lamont: Vocalist
Sam Fineaso: Drums
Ian Santillano: Electric Guitar
Jared Milos: Bass Guitar
Ed Pasalo: Rhodes
David Kaisa: Piano
Lionel Briones: Saxophone
Bill Smolik: Trumpet
Keep Your Eyes On The Prize
Rendition by: Aisea Taimani, Ron Werner Jr.
Gee Lelevaga: Vocalist
Marie Kaisa: Vocalist
Kate Lamont: Vocalist
Sam Fineaso: Drums
Ian Santillano: Electric Guitar
Tyler Harlow: Bass Guitar
David Kaisa: Piano & Synths
Ed Pasalo: Rhodes & Organ
Lionel Briones: Saxophone
Bill Smolik: Trumpet
‘Eiki Koe ‘Ofa A Au
Tongan Hymn 114
David Kaisa: Piano
Be Still
Written by: Aisea Taimani
Marie Kaisa: Vocalist
Gee Lelevaga: Vocalist
Kate Lamont: Vocalist
Sam Fineaso: Drums
Ian Santillano: Electric Guitar
Jr. Lelevaga: Bass Guitar
Ed Pasalo: Organ
David Kaisa: Rhodes
Lionel Briones: Saxophone
Bill Smolik: Trumpet
“Building Me A Home”
Negro Spiritual
Rendition by: Aisea Taimani
David Kaisa: Piano
Ed Pasalo: Rhodes
“Golden Kingdom”
Written by: Aisea Taimani, Micah Bournes
Marie Kaisa: Vocalist
Gee Lelevaga: Vocalist
Kate Lamont: Vocalist
Sam Fineaso: Drums
Ian Santillano: Electric Guitar
Jr. Lelevaga: Bass Guitar
Ed Pasalo: Organ
David Kaisa: Rhodes
Lionel Briones: Saxophone
Bill Smolik: Trumpet
Songwriters/Composers:
Aisea Taimani, Ron Werner Jr., Micah Bournes, Jubilee Fohe
Composer:
Aisea Taimani
Arrangement/Rendition:
Aisea Taimani
Liner Notes:
Album Engineered by:
Jason Hallyburton
Album Mixed & Mastered by:
Cody Fuentes @ Rapture Recordings
Album Artwork:
Marie Kaisa
Album Written by:
Aisea Taimani
Micah Bournes
Ron Werner Jr.
Jubilee Fohe
Except Verse 3 & Bridge: “Keep Your Eyes On the Prize”
Except Verse 1 & 2: “Building Me A Home”
Special Thanks:
Elmira Taimani
Vaka & Neomai Taimani
Barry & Jessennia & Fam
Vaka Jr. & Shannon & Fam
Teolosia & Tanoaki Ohai
Toakase Manukia
Anthony & Joanna Tuitavake & Fam
Farzaneh Goudarzi
Arian Nosratollahi
The Glocal Collective
Sunitha Mortha
Benhi Khabeb
Omar Mixco
Brittany Betts
Momoko Tano
Peter Mack
Mark Abelsen
Regina Rhymes
Andy Chan
Brady Guista
Sydney Eugene
Jaron Cheung
Eric Ra
Brett Hall
Micah Bournes
Kevin Anderson
Travis Murphy
Trevor DeBenning
Elijah Goodall
Katieli Teu
Chris Beland
Corz
Brittany Williams
Christian Bustos
Nahuel Bronzini
James Small
Mani Draper
Vernon Caraway
Carly Escoto
Bekah Jean
Kevin Lemos
Steven Mudd
Kenny Ray Conway
Jason Hallyburton
Alice Shcerbak
Cody Fuentes
David Fohe
Jubilee Fohe
Joel Roberts
Minor Islands:
David & Marie Kaisa
Twaunce Price: Keys
Kate Lamont: Vocalist
Gee Lelevaga: Vocalist
Marie Kaisa: Vocalist
Kate Lamont: Vocalist
Evangelia Taimani: Spoken Word (Mai's Wisdom)
Jared Milos: Bass Guitar
Jr. Lelevaga: Bass Guitar
Tyler Harlow: Bass Guitar
Chris Balderas: Bass Guitar
Ed Pasalo: Rhodes & Organ
David Kaisa: Piano & Synths
Ian Santillano: Electric Guitar
Sam Fineaso: Drums
Lionel Briones: Saxophone
Bill Smolik: Trumpet
