‘Dream’ a reality
for Brown BaggerMy Dream World: Sharon Sanchez (MGC)
SHARON Sanchez is a veteran of I-94's Brown Bags To Stardom contest and was featured on a Brown Bags album. Her debut album is on another label but has songs with the Brown Bags sound. One of the weakest is getting play on I-94. Others show her potential more effectively.
An interesting pop-rap song, "Driftin' In Solitude," proves she can sing well beyond the vapid limits of local pop music. "Swept Me Off My Feet" is another of her best. It too transcends the sterility of typical local pop; guest vocalist Ras Inando adds an unaffected authenticity to the Caribbean-flavored arrangement. The local pop artists who intrude as guests elsewhere are liabilities.
Credit producer Doug Smith with writing the strongest songs. His synthesizer-based arrangements fit the genre. The work of less talented writers is all the more irksome in comparison.
A remake of Peter Paul & Mary's 1962 hit, "If I Had A Hammer," is another bad idea, but overall this is a promising debut.
Lifesong: Various (The Mountain Apple Company)
THE aesthetic touch of Mountain Apple Company principal Jon de Mello is evident with one glance at this fund-raiser compilation album. Cryptic graffiti-like cover art is accented by a transparent red jewel box. The songs within provide an eclectic sample of local music. Most are originals. Proceeds benefit the Life Foundation.
A chant written by kumu hula Manu Boyd defines one end of this musical spectrum. A rocker by Brother Noland marks another. Jeff Rasmussen creatively blends rock and reggae in "Don't Cry For Me" while the Ali'is add doo-wop with Nathan Aweau's composition, "God's Children," and make it one of the most memorable of all.
Don Ho is in fine voice singing with his daughter Hoku. She is obviously a future recording star.
Those who remember Willie K from his Jawaiian-rock phase will be amazed by his sound on "When Will You Know."
Barry Flanagan's "Song For Maura Rose" adds a beautiful instrumental by Hapa. Acoustic piano is all that's needed to make Robert Cazimero's composition, "Somewhere In The Night," another poignant highlight.
Nohelani Cypriano, Brickwood Galuteria, Lehua Galuteria, Loyal Garner, Henry Kapono, Glenn Medeiros, Na Leo Pilimehana, Pandanus Club, and Zanuck and Ginai also participated.
A final track is a three-second sound bite by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: "No be scared. There's people here for help you." Iz' death was not AIDS related but he certainly would have supported the cause.
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.
