New Generation

The New Generation is a group from Hawaii with international visions that have yet to materialize. The multi-cultural and multi-ethnic group formed in 1988, are very popular on the Islands, and are common sites on shows featuring major artists who come to Hawaii to perform. Singles on local labels made the group an item in their home state and the Pacific area. Seeking a bigger audience and worldwide acceptance, they secured a contract with Reprise Records and recorded (in Hawaii) their debut LP in 1992, titled The New Generation. The nine tracks consisted of sweet ballads, funk, pop, and rap. A debut single with a bubblegum rap "Sweet Okole" failed to do it for the guys, but then neither did subsequent releases. The streetwise Islanders have a hot live act that mixes music with visuals, great vocals, and smooth harmonies. A second LP surfaced on Panni Records in 1994, then Surfside Records, in 1995 titled Love Songs for You, like their first effort, it went completely unnoticed in the States. And that's a shame because it contained fresh remakes of classic slow jams: "You Make Me Feel Brand New," "Daddy's Home," "You're My Everything," and some tight originals. A third and seemingly final album, Good to Go, came out on the Epic label and duplicated the dismal sales of the first two. Songs by the New Generation can also be found on many compilation albums featuring Hawaiian acts including The Best of Hip Jam & Hana Hou Records, the Island Classics' series, and many others. For all their efforts, talents, drive, and hopes, they couldn't make any inroads into the states, or internationally; they remain as before, a phenomenon of the Hawaiian Islands and the Pacific region. Freddy Von Paraz, Maestro, Roni, Nito Larioza, and Brandon Silva comprised the New Generation.