Cho displays
versatility, imaginationTatee: J. Moki Cho (Sudden Rush Productions)
NO local recording act has done more to imaginatively blend the traditions of Hawaiian chant and African-American rap than Sudden Rush. J. Moki Cho is a Rush protege. He, too, is imaginative.
Cho ricochets through Hawaiian, Tahitian, local pop, rock, gospel, rap and urban-style "slow jams" with ease. He poses as a Rastafarian here, as a Christian there, and warns women against dating married men with "Try Wait."
He bares his soul with "Pretty Boy," an original that describes watching the woman he admires fall for a shallow but handsome stud. Cho's originals prove he's a versatile writer.
Guest artists join in without eclipsing him. Guy Cruz sits in on an acoustic ballad. Tenderoni adds a sultry urban edge to "Blue Lights (Iuli & Nani's Theme)." Pomaika'i Longakit evokes memories of Tammi Terrell in an arrangement of "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" that avoids the cliches of local pop and Jawaiian remakes.
Kilakila: Yuki "Alani" Yamauchi (Respect)
YUKI Yamauchi is a Japanese recording artist who has lived here while studying slack key with Ray Kane.
He has recorded Hawaiian music here and in Japan, and his fourth instrumental album marks his official debut playing steel guitar, as well as slack key. Yamauchi again proves himself a significant figure in the international Hawaiian music scene.
The bilingual annotation in the liner notes provides a brief history of the steel guitar and reveals the hidden message in Yamauchi's imaginative "Pacific Farewell Medley."
Ke Kolu: Hui Ohana (Lehua)
Hui Ohana fans got something special when Dennis Pavao and Ledward and Nedward Kaapana recorded their third album early in 1974. They were joined by Tina Kaapana (mother of Led and Ned, aunt of Dennis). Her glorious voice was a perfect addition to the trio's exquisite falsetto harmonies.
Lehua has rereleased the album with the original cover art and annotation. No lyrics or translations are provided. Upgrading the annotation would give buyers more for their money.
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.
