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Island Mele
Waterson’s songs
of love are classicsSongs In The Key Of Love:
by Al Waterson (ANW Entertainment - ANW CD0001)AL Waterson was presenting karaoke as family entertainment years before it became fashionable. Best known as the irrepressible singing host weekends at Fisherman's Wharf, he shows a more serious side interpreting 10 classic love songs. Dave Tucciarone is his synthetic karaoke orchestra.
Waterson is at his best working a crowd or singing with a live big band, but the emotion he conveys here makes this a fine souvenir. "June When Love Was Young" and "For Once In My Life" are two of his best numbers.
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E-mail: awandyou@aol.com
by Minoaka (Kolohe - KLR81153)MOLOKAI is a Jawaiian/imitation Jamaican stronghold these days, and a routine reggae lite format prevails on Minoaka's debut album. The title song uses the formula blend of reggae style beat plus early 1960s melodic riffs Sean Na'auao popularized several years ago. Turns out he's Minoaka's producer and leader of the all-star studio band who backed them.
Seven of 10 songs are originals. Kolokea Solatorio's reggae lite "Molokai You're My Home" and Jennie Tangonan's local pop "I Know" are the most promising. Sachiko Kamai's dirge to a lost love, "Why It's You" needs a rewrite but has potential.
"Hula O Makee" is pleasant as the token "sweet Hawaiian song" but the Top 40 remakes fall short. Rappers B.E.T. dominate "Pata Pata" so totally that it belongs on their album. A flaccid take on "Tide Is High " simply falls short. "Daddy" is an earnest requiem twice as long as it needs to be.
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No contact info available.
by Elodia Kane (Respect - RES-29)ELODIA Kane's second album is a beautiful celebration. Yuki "Alani" Yamauchi, Wataru Ohkuma, and Bob Broznan are the acoustic band. Kane's daughter, Raynette, and Martin Pahinui add backing vocals.
Kane's renditions of "My Sweet Carnation Lei" and "Kaulana O Hilo Hanakahi" are especially nice. Ohkuma's clarinet adds a retro ambience to "Kamalani O Keaukaha." Detailed liner notes complete the package.
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Respect Records, 201 Fukuda Heights, 3-18-29 Jingumae,
Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan T150
Fax: 81-3-3746-2572
See Record Reviews for some 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 Today
section on Fridays for the latest reviews.
