Gabby Pahinui ‎– Rabbit Island Music Festival, Panini PS-1004, VG++/VG+, 1973

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A cornerstone of modern Hawaiian music, Rabbit Island Music Festival captures Gabby “Pops” Pahinui at the height of his creative powers with the warm, rolling slack‑key guitar, the deep rhythmic pulse, and the unmistakable vocal presence that shaped an entire generation of island musicians. Released in 1973 on Panini Records, this LP brings together Gabby and a circle of top players in a relaxed, joyful session that feels like a backyard kanikapila elevated to art.

Even if you’re new to Gabby, this album is an instant doorway into the soul of Hawaiian music. Tracks like Waiʻalae, Makee ʻAilana, and Pua Lililehua showcase the blend of slack‑key mastery, falsetto sweetness, and deep cultural grounding that made Gabby a legend. It’s the kind of record that collectors, audiophiles, and world‑music fans all converge on. It's warm, melodic, and endlessly replayable.

Condition: Vinyl is a strong VG+, bordering on Excellent, with only light scuffing at the start of Side 2 and minor scuffing elsewhere. Plays beautifully with that classic Panini warmth. Cover is Excellent, clean, vibrant, not handled much.

If you’re building a Hawaiian section, exploring slack‑key for the first time, or just want a record that radiates pure aloha, this one is essential.

Track listings and information:
A1 Waiʻalae Written-By – Mekia Kealakai A2 Hoʻoheno Keia No Beauty A3 He Noheaʻoe I Kuʻu Maka Written-By – Charles E. King A4 Makee ʻAilana Written-By – James K. I‘i A5 Haleʻiwa Hula Written-By – Jennie Wood, Johnny Noble A6 Ka Loke O Maui Written-By – Johnny Noble B1 Ua Nani Kauaʻi Written-By – Lizzie Alohikea B2 Pua Lililehua Written-By – Kahauanu Lake, Mary K. Pukui B3 Pua Mamane Written-By – Kihei de Silva, Lena Machado, Pi'olani Motta B4 Kauaʻi Beauty Written-By – Henry Waiau B5 Palolo Written-By – Charles E. King B6 In The Garden Of Paradise Written-By – Sallie Hume-Douglas
    Mastered At – Capitol Mastering     Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles
    Acoustic Bass – Manuel "Joe Gang" Kupahu     Acoustic Guitar – Atta Isaacs, Bla Pahinui, Gabby Pahinui, Martin Pahinui, Philip Pahinui, Randy Lorenzo, Sonny Chillingworth     Banjo – Cyril Pahinui     Graphics – Gerry Ober     Lacquer Cut By – KP*     Lead Vocals – Gabby Pahinui, Sonny Chillingworth     Mixed By – Hugh Davies (2)     Photography By – Dave Cornwell*     Recorded By – Bob Lang     Twelve-String Guitar – Gabby Pahinui
This album followed the LP called "Gabby" and featured many of the same musicians. While called a music festival, the majority of the songs were recorded at Sounds Of Hawai'i recording studio. As indicated on the back cover, only the intro and outro of the album were recorded on Manana (Rabbit) Island, where the musicians performed, with the birds on the island serving as their "audience."
Photographer Dave Cornwell used another picture from the album cover photo session of this album for the debut album by Olomana, "Like A Seabird In The Wind."
    Pressing Plant ID (Stamped in runouts): ✲     Matrix / Runout (Side A runout):  "FROM PANINI WITH LOVE, S.S. WS LB 8-6-73" PS-1-1004 -F-1  1 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP     Matrix / Runout (Side B runout):  PS-2-1004 -F-1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP ✲