MAUI slack-key guitarist 'Ikaika Brown makes his recording debut with Pekelo Cosma's endorsement. They met "a couple of years ago" when Brown was 10. This CD shows he's worthy of the endorsement. He has talent beyond his years.
The title track, a simple but sincere ode to a Hawaiian farmer, was written by Brown and Kip Keala. It's well deserving of radio play. What could be more appropriate than a song endorsing traditional Hawaiian values written and recorded by Hawaiian teenager.
The other cuts are instrumental slack-key standards with Brown's playing the focus.
Collectors of slack-key recordings will enjoy Brown's technique and the beauty of the music. Yet with barely 24 minutes of music this is an expensive buy; CDs can hold 70 minutes of music.
Time And Time Again: Hokua, Moon Surfer Productions, CD
THE liner notes define Hokua as meaning "the highest peak of a wave before it breaks." The group's repertoire suggests it could also mean "chameleon-like." Hit one track and Hokua is easily dismissed as generic pseudo-rasta "Jawaiian" posers. Sample another and they're a promising local pop act. Try a third and they're down-home guys who respect their heritage. Most of the songs are originals.
All the members - Revese Jeremiah, Conrad Machado, Glen Peterson and Mike Tangaro - are songwriters. Jeremiah blends soulful harmonies, Caribbean rhythms and dual ukuleles in "Island Falling Rain." He also wrote "Lonely Girl," a catchy mix of falsetto, R&B, Top 40 and Hawaiian pop.
Machado and Peterson wrote the Latino-flavored "Lovely Island Girl," and Tangaro composed "Kahalu'u Ku'u Home," a quick pick as Hokua's signature.
Some cuts are marred by the clutter of a synthetic string section. But give Hokua credit for professional packaging. Lyrics, composers' credits and publishing information are all there!