Tiki upholds traditions of exotica
The Forbidden Sounds of Don Tiki: Don Tiki (Taboo)
MARTIN Denny created "exotica" in the 1950s when he seasoned American jazz with non-American percussive instruments and bird calls. Don Tiki continues the tradition. Denny wrote and played piano on two of these songs; most of the others are by producer/arranger/pianist Kit Ebersbach - a long-time Denny fan.
Some song titles and performance credits are tongue in cheek but the arrangements are serious and well crafted. The work of Hai Jung Aholelei (vocals), Perry Coma (keyboards), Jim Howard (flute), and percussionists Carlinhos De Oliveira, Mike Muldoon and Noel Okimoto will delight Denny devotees and modern "lounge music" fans alike. Jimmy Borges and Teresa Bright have guest spots; Lopaka Colon (son of Augie) adds the jungle noises.
Along For The Ride: Canoe Club (Roy Sakuma Productions)
ROY Sakuma successfully leaps into unfamiliar terrain as producer of this creative collaboration with expatriate islanders Daniel Ho and David Ho. Daniel Ho is the talent behind the California-based band Kilauea; he is the major composer here. David (no relation) is the primary musician.
Ukulele is the touchstone but this isn't a conventional ukulele album. Several songs present the uke in a modern jazz context. Others place it in contemporary pop arrangements with vocalist Bridgette Bryant. "It's Alright" finds a hint of uke in a polished retro disco love song; "Christmas Lullaby" adds a seasonal calling card to the set.
Pele: Roland Cazimero (Mountain Apple Company)
ROLAND Cazimero's first solo album stretched him to his creative limits in 1979. Fourteen original songs marked key events in a tale of Pele, her sister Hi'iaka, and the alii Lohiau. Cazimero played the guitar and bass parts and did the vocals; Brother Robert, Wayne Chang, Leina'ala Kalama Heine and Jon de Mello contributed chant, narration and sound effects. The album liner notes explained how the songs fit into the story; that information is included in this rerelease. Not every song is a gem, but "Pele" is an important entry in Cazimero history.
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John Berger, who has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972, writes reviews of recordings
produced by Hawaii artists. See the Star-Bulletin's Home Zone
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