Debut album
celebrates hula spiritFrom Deep Within ... : John Ka'imikaua (Hula)
JOHN Ka'imikaua's magnificent debut album goes deep in commemorating the spiritual roots of hula on Molokai and sharing that heritage with those outside his Halau Hula O Kukunaokala. It belongs in all collections of Hawaiian music.
This isn't a collection of chants. "Dreary Afternoon" is one of several selections written in a contemporary non-Hawaiian style. Hawaiian traditionalists will love "Hale Likikini," a family history song set to a beautiful melody. "Sugar Mila," which recalls the recently destroyed Aiea mill, was first heard on a cassette single in 1993.
A 22-page booklet by Ka'imikaua and Billy Rose provides Hawaiian lyrics, English translations, photographs, historical and cultural notes, geometric designs and a glossary. This essential information puts the dissimilar songs in context.
Kevin Hughes: Kevin Hughes (Birds Of Paradise)
KEVIN Hughes' unique skill at presenting serious scientific facts in conversational comic style has made him a hot attraction here for the past decade. This is a full-length souvenir of the show that made the "comedy sex therapist" so popular.
Hughes doesn't take sides in explaining how and why men and women differ sexually and psychologically. Sexually active people of any age will find his insights valuable and entertaining. An 18-page booklet -- "Kevin's Guide To Good Sex & Stuff" -- is included.
Piha Hau'oli: Pekelo (Kapa Kuiki)
PEKELO Cosma's 1992 debut album inspired some to dub him "the new Gabby." Pekelo was content to play the grassroots Hawaiian music he'd grown up with; he moved to Oahu but found even rural Oahu too hectic and returned home to Hana. His third album conveys the spirit of a backyard party there.
The songs are as grassroots as Pekelo himself. The acoustic arrangements are beautiful. "Kanaka Uka Oma'opio" borrows a melodic hook from "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" but "borrowing" is a grassroots tradition too. Yes, he still sounds like Gabby -- he still plays for himself!
See Record Reviews for some of John Berger's past reviews.
See Aloha Worldwide for locals living away.
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
section on Fridays for the latest reviews.
