Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Paradise Blues , from John Akapo and it has a strong blues underpinning and excellent vocals. Opening with Robert Johnson's Ramblin' On My Mind , Taumei "Big John" Akapo shows why he has made a big name in his home of Hawaii with solid guitar playing and some of the smoothest vocals since Richie Havens. On original blues shuffle, Little Lani , Akapo uses traditional blues bones but crafts a more contemporary feel with vocal styling, super blues riffs and harp backing. Muddy Waters' I Can't Be Satisfied is one of three covers on the release with Waters like slide riffs and a simple gait. laying back in the slot a bit more, Caramac Blues shows a different blues guitar style, fluid soloing and smooth natural vocals. Akapo's voice is so smooth that it adapts itself nicely to anything he sings. Hindsight (Missionary Blues) is played on a high strung, light soundboard instrument, likely a uku...