Big Isle halau shines
on ‘Uwolani’Uwolani: Halau o Kekuhi (Liko)
ANYONE looking for authentic traditional Hawaiian music need look no farther than this impressive album by kumu hula Nalani Kanaka'ole and Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele and members of their halau.
The two kumu hula are the daughters and heirs of kumu hula Edith Kanaka'ole and custodians of traditions that go back generations. As produced and packaged by John Keoni Fujitani it is a perfect introduction to the hula of this Big Island halau and its foundation in traditional Hawaiian religious beliefs.
The album opens appropriately enough with an oli (a chant not danced to) to Laka, patron deity of hula. One honors the ancient parents of the Hawaiian island chain, others tell of Pele and Hi'iaka, yet another calls on contemporary Hawaiians to aid the restoration of Kaho'olawe.
Still others tell of the genealogy of Kamehameha II and other ali'i. The kumu hula were assisted by six other people in annotating the Hawaiian lyrics and English translations but warn that the kaona (hidden meanings) are too complex for full translation.
My Restin Place: JayRome (Homeless)
FEW local rap artists succeed in sounding credible. JayRome is one of the rare exceptions. His debut album equals much of the national rap heard on local teen-oriented stations like I-94. "Peepin U," one of the love tracks, should already be getting play.
Like many of his mainland peers, JayRome uses an ensemble approach. A female vocalist is featured on some tracks, secondary voices on others. Elsewhere he addresses issues including racism, romance, inner-city violence, conspicuous consumption, cultural pride and religious faith. He and his team do a good job with the music tracks as well. JayRome is ready for national exposure.
Kulia: Kulia (Fat Katz Productions)
PRODUCER Jeff Rasmussen took no chances with this new Fat Katz act. The selections range from Sean Na'auao-style local reggae to a beautiful hapa haole classic ("Hello Honolulu") and an equally nice version of "Pua Bonita."
Fiji helped with the reggae-lite tracks, and a small army of "guest musicians" handled the instrumental duties. The "guests" include Wendell Ching, Kelly DeLima, Michael Grande, Steve Lincoln, Kenneth Makuakane, Chino Montero, Greg Sardina and Bully Soares as well as Na'auao and Rasmussen.
All the "guests" make it hard to tell how well the guys play, and without composers' credits there's no way to acknowledge any of them, but their harmonies and enthusiasm makes their debut memorable.
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.
