STEEL guitarist Ken Emerson first surfaced as a local recording artist almost 20 years ago when he and his brother, Phil, won a spot on a KKUA "Homegrown" album. A full-length Emerson Brothers album was followed by a productive partnership with Moe Keale. With "Slack & Steel" Emerson returns with a disc that is a must-buy for anyone interested in the history of Hawaiian steel.
The album will be an eye-opener for anyone who knows steel guitar only in its hapa-haole, "tourist music" context. Many of Emerson's selections reflect the instrument's grassroots Hawaiian origins of a century ago.
Others tap into the jazz and blues influences that cross-pollinated Hawaiian music in the first decades of the 20th century. Still others display the versatility of the instrument when played slack-key or in "bottle neck" style, exhibiting the different tones and textures of wooden and metal-body acoustic instruments.
The music is exquisite; several originals fit in smoothly with the classics in the 14-song collection.
Detailed liner notes by producer John Keoni Fujitani include a brief biography of the artist, information on each song, a list of the instruments used and a well-written historic overview.
Beautiful art work and flawless packaging complete this world-class album.
JIM Hubbard is a little bit rock, a little bit country-blues, and 100 percent original
He wrote all the songs on "Home is Where the Heart Is," and accompanies himself on harmonica and an assortment of guitars. Natasha Tabandera adds a sultry feminine counterpoint; producer Jon Edwards Jr. makes judicious use of drums, bass, keyboards and percussion in building arrangements without swamping Hubbard in frills. Hubbard's roots as a solo performer are enhanced rather than diluted.
Hubbard's lyrics suggest that he's been around the block a few times and survived some knocks along the way. He's a man with a knack for crafting a striking phrase or two. The lyrics in "Useless Colors" are a good example; the musical arrangement brings to mind the hits of Bruce Hornsby without copying him outright.
"Center of The World" captures Hubbard in a solo acoustic blues mode, while on "Throw The Dog A Bone" he plugs in with Edwards' musicians for a grinding blues-rock workout. Call this "rock for adults."
KAPENA'S second anthology of prior releases is certainly a solid offering and a good buy. The 14-song collection contains highlights from the group's last five albums. Among them are noteworthy originals by "Kelly Boy" De Lima. Songs such as "Kalena Koo" and "Sons and Daughters" show his range and vision as a composer.
A highlight for many will be "I'll Build You A Rainbow." The arrangement is a tribute to De Lima's skill at wringing every drop of emotion out of maudlin lyrics. The result is one of the great all-time tearjerkers in contemporary local music.
De Lima, Tiva and Timo Tatofi, and Elton "Bruddah E" McKeague cover a little bit of everything else from Jawaiian to country to Polynesian to pop. Liner notes by KDE principal Ken "KT" Thompson and the band members put everything in perspective for one of the most significant groups in contemporary island music.