The Hula Blues Band came together when Taj moved to Kaua`i, Hawai`i back in '81. Fishin' with the guys and jammin', enjoying life. We got together and did a few shows. First with Kester (Taj's long-time friend and drumer), Napali (Carlos Andrade, Patrick Cockett, Pancho Graham, Fred Lunt) on "A Prairie Home Companion," and a bit later with the rest of the band (Michael Barretto, Wayne Jacintho) on Mau`i and O`ahu. Our first run (albeit a short one) was on the Ultimate Rythmn and Blues Cruise down in the Carribean to the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Grand Bahama Island. We played a few more times and in 1997, and recorded the album - "Taj Mahal and the Hula Blues Band - Sacred Island." on Kaua`i. It was originally released in Europe by Tradtion & Moderne under the title - "Taj Mahal and the Hula Blues"