Maacho and Cool Connections bringing back roots reggae vibe

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

"I needed a different sound, and there wasn't much work out there anyway," explained Maacho, his accent — even after three decades away from his hometown of Kingston — still as nattily Jamaican as his dreads. "The clubs wasn't really accepting my style of roots reggae. So I just decided to lay low for a while and try it again with a new team."

That new team — a five-member Version 2.0 (or maybe it's 3.0) of his most recognized Honolulu roots unit Cool Connections — makes its debut performance at Anna Bannana's tomorrow with some old favorites, a few covers and mostly new compositions. Just don't expect an easy explanation of exactly what his new "sound" sounds like.

"I'd say my new stuff sounds deep and clean ... educational and fun ... with more instrumentation," Maacho said. Subject matter and inspirations? "Ah, just the ways of life ... how it changes."

So the music is personal?

"Nah, nothing personal," he finished. "Mostly spiritual and educational. Spiritual ethics."

Maacho has lived in Hawai'i since 1980, performing both solo and in bands with names such as Cool Runnings, The Movers and Rock of Ages. He put together the first version of Cool Connections in 1985. His name, he said, was Swahili for "eyes," and more specifically, "eyes that see beyond the ordinary."

Moving on, Maacho said a key reason he organized the Anna's performance was the hope of putting himself, the band and more live roots reggae back into Honolulu clubs.

"I'm hoping this (concert) will open the eyes of a few clubs and venues," said Maacho. "I'd also like to see more clubs for all ages. In reggae music, there's no profanity and there's really nothing that kids shouldn't hear. It's conscious music."