Norman Ka'awa Solomon's disc reflects love for Hawaii.
MATT Young embarked on some promising experiments blending Hawaiian standards and electronic pop arrangements as the executive producer of albums by Waipio and Leahi on his Hana Hou label back in 1989.
He didn't do much serious Hawaiian music after that although he was involved with a staggering number of local pop albums. That makes this Ka'awa's "Aloha Ke Kahi I Ke Kahi" significant. First, it's Hawaiian. Judged by both contents and quality of packaging it's one of the most impressive and professionally crafted albums in his career. Most important of all, it is a beautiful musical calling card for the artist, Norman Ka'awa Solomon.
Delete the inevitable local-pop synthesizer string tracks that pop up on a song or two and it would be an unalloyed gem. Ka'awa sings with authority in English and Hawaiian, and offers well-written originals along with a couple of Hawaiian standards and a single pop-chart oldie.
The arrangements include touches of rock, pop, country and contemporary hapa-haole; there is no intrusive pseudo-reggae. Listen closely and there are hints of Cecelio & Kapono harmonies here, perhaps just a touch of Gabby there, but Ka'awa doesn't sound like he's copying any successful local artist.
Ka'awa is an articulate lyricist. A majority of the songs are originals. If the title track, translated as "Love One Another," isn't getting high-rotation play on Hawaii's "island music" radio stations it certainly should be. It combines a memorable melody with a positive message that must be heard in this time of escalating drug-fueled violence.
In other songs Ka'awa writes of his love of the islands, love of family, and love of a special someone. Judging from his lyrics he's a serious romantic but has a sense of humor too.
Ka'awa and his production team - Young, Edwin F. Nilsen Jr., and Bobby Sherman - compliment his music with an eye-catching cover, full song lyrics, English translations of the Hawaiian songs, and complete production and publishing credits.
The music should make Ka'awa a local "name"; the album makes him a favorite to reach finalist status as "Most Promising Artist" and for "Song Of The Year" at the Hoku Awards next spring.
Praising Him Island Style Various artists (Quiet Storm Records), CD
An island-style compilation is full of praise for the Lord.
A song from Malani Bilyeu's Hoku-winning album "Saved" is the immediate stand-out on this beautiful anthology of contemporary Christian and/or inspirational music. One song or two cannot be categorized as Christian, but espouse sentiments congruent to the Christian ideals of love, brotherhood and returning good for evil.
Although it is not being prideful to promote an album that glorifies the Lord, local Christian artists and their record labels all too often seem to market their recordings only within their own congregations. Several of the artists whose songs are heard here did that. Many of these songs will thus be "new music" for the listeners.
Legacy's socially conscious "Where's the Heart," Justin's "Aloha Spirit," I'land Boyz's catchy "Holy Holy," and two songs by David Katina display the range and appeal of contemporary Christian music done local style.
Mililani's haunting "El-Shaddai" transcends sectarian definitions. It is simply a beautiful piece of music.
Island residents Randy Hongo, New Hope Music Ministries, Tropical Wine, and Conrad Estillore & Bryan Kessler are also heard in this 13-song collection; several of Hawaii's self-styled "Christian artists" apparently declined to participate or couldn't be located.
"A portion of the proceeds" benefit Honolulu's River of Life Mission.