Jake Shimabukuru Two New Albums in Stores today

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » September 19, 2007 11:13 am

Received via email from www.jakeshimabukuro.com

JAKE SHIMABUKURO TWO NEW ALBUMS IN STORES TODAY!

HITCHHIKE RECORDS announces the release of not one, but two, new CDs by ukulele and multi-genre star Jake Shimabukuro: His soundtrack music for the hit Japanese indie film "Hula Girls"; and a six-song EP, MY LIFE, which continues and extends the concept of his popular previous release, GENTLY WEEPS.

Hula Girls
Japan's #1 movie "Hula Girls" returned to the U.S. this year for a major coast-to-coast run after earning rave reviews at numerous international film festivals. The soundtrack, scored by Jake Shimabukuro, is an instrumental masterpiece, recently earning a Japanese Academy Award for Best Sound Recording. The disc features eight new recordings by Jake and two songs by Hawaiian female vocal group Na Leo. The uke maestro's tender ukulele stylings give dramatic effect to emotional scenes in the film. "The HULA GIRLS soundtrack was equally as exciting because it was my first film score experience," says Jake. "It was a completely new concept for me and extremely challenging. Scoring for piano, guitar, and string quartet was an entirely fresh experience that has inspired me to learn more about orchestral arrangements and think beyond my own instrument, the ukulele."

My Life
Jake also offers an EP release featuring six brand new solo-ukulele arrangements of his favorite tunes by the likes of Sarah McLachlan, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Cyndi Lauper, all on one album wrapped around the timeless classic "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." On this heartfelt and beautiful recording, Jake respects the originals while integrating his own soulful, one-of-a-kind interpretations. "MY LIFE was a lot of fun because it's a compilation of songs that have inspired me since I first heard them growing up in Hawaii," says Jake. "The covered tunes have timeless melodies and were written by artists that I admire greatly. Another highlight for me was having the opportunity to record a song with my younger brother Bruce. He played the guitar part on 'Time After Time.' "

Watch for Jake's U.S. mainland tour dates this fall!

balcony girls · Post by **balcony girls** » September 19, 2007 1:09 pm

. .got that one, too . .! !

. .and when I read " Somewhere over the Rainbow " . . my head went DING, DING. . . Nadirah . .Jake. .

. .yep . .we certainly have a winner there. . ! !

cocotel · Post by **cocotel** » September 19, 2007 1:13 pm

Maria will have these by the weekend.

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » September 19, 2007 4:02 pm

I have a live recording of Jake doing Somewhere Over The Rainbow, in Kansas of all places.

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » October 14, 2007 10:35 pm

Well, with all of the "good luck" rain that sprinkled on us in Hawaii, bg and I were fortunate to stumble upon a Jake two-fer last Saturday and Sunday, at a couple of cd release parties in stores.

We overheard about Saturday's appearance at the luau Friday night (thanks NorthcoastPH), and about Sunday's appearance at Saturday's signing. We figured we were probably the last to hear, since we had no internet access, but that didn't end up to be the case, or we would have tried to spread the word more.

Saturday was at 11:00a at Don Quiqote's, where we happened upon spoonerhizolehound. Sunday was at noon at a Sam's Club, and we went with Karacal and her husband Frank, and met redwinemaker, jeepgirl, and Schoolgirlheart there.

Both days, we were treated to some new songs by Jake solo, and with his brother Bruce, on guitar for a couple songs, and on a ukelele duet of Tokada, off of Bruce's cd "Bits & Pieces".

Jake and Bruce are both amazingly talented, captivating, entertaining, and genuinely personable... a real joy to spend time with.

And the cd's sound GREAT!!

jonesbeach10 · Post by **jonesbeach10** » October 15, 2007 10:31 am

Wayy cool Tiki!!! I can't wait until he comes to DC in February. Hopefully it will remedy the cabin fever I'm sure I'll have at that point!

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » October 15, 2007 10:47 am

jonesbeach10 wrote:Wayy cool Tiki!!! I can't wait until he comes to DC in February. Hopefully it will remedy the cabin fever I'm sure I'll have at that point!

I guarantee it will!! Can't wait to hear about it!

Karacal · Post by **Karacal** » October 15, 2007 1:47 pm

I got my 2 new albums!!! And the one by Bruce!!!
They are both so nice and extremely talented!!
I feel so lucky to get to meet them!
Tiki, I love the pictures!!!
What a fun day!!