BEN Vegas scaled the local charts previously as a member of the Krush and with the 5:05 group. This is his official debut as a solo artist. His skills as vocalist and musician are well known. He's now established as a versatile and talented composer too.
Several songs on "Walking in the Light" reflect his religious faith; none are preachy. The title track comes with a powerful David Choy horn arrangement that establishes Vegas' strength and potential as a jazz-rock artist; Blaise Sison and Ron Esteban join Vegas and Choy as the key musicians on most of the tracks. They're a hot quartet.
Vegas explores a variety of other rhythms and tempos. The Caribbean-flavored "Island Celebration," and a contemporary hapa-haole love song titled "Lilinoe," are two more to listen for on local radio stations. Another strong entry is "Deep in the Heart of Aloha" -- it should be a theme for the HVCB! Vegas wisely shuns "Jawaiian" stuff and generic Top 40 pop-chart rehashes.
The two nonoriginals -- Eddie Suzuki's "Maile Lei" and Helen Desha Beamer's "Pupu Hina Hina" -- are presented in a medley that offers fresh perspectives on both while respecting the original compositions.
SUDDEN Rush answers three questions with a three-song preview of its upcoming "Ku'e" album.
Yes, it's possible for island rappers to assimilate musical input from urban America and the Caribbean without debasing themselves into pseudo-Jamaicans or gangsta-wannabes!
Yes, it's possible to incorporate the Hawaiian language in progressive rap arrangements!
And yes, there are local rappers addressing issues of relevance to Hawaiians and other isle residents rather than "borrowing" issues from distant lands!
These accomplishments are illuminated by vocal and instrumental-only mixes of the title track, "Hawaiian Pride" and "Concrete Jungle."
Sounds like the full-length album could easily rank with the prior work of Club Rox Rock and SKI-103 in establishing ever-higher standards in local rap.
NA Leo Pilimehana's first American anthology was released last fall as an individually numbered "Limited Gold Edition" album.
That version is now out of print. It's been replaced by an unnumbered and unlimited "Silver Edition" that contains the same 15 classics and three pop remakes of the earlier disc. The only difference is the color of the lettering, but hardcore fans of the trio will need one of each to complete their collections.