Please support our very first Starbulletin.com advertiser!
Island Mele
Friday, July 14, 2000
‘Hear’ big leap
forward for B.E.T.Hear We Come: B.E.T. (Kanga/Galmiche Entertainment)
Papa T and J.D have made good on the duo's ambitious name ever since, and make a quantum leap forward here. Hardcore in approach and style, the two are thoroughly credible in both reggae and rap formats.
B.E.T. sets an example many other local reggae and rap acts should emulate by including a sense of personal heritage in their work. (T is Hawaiian and Caucasian, J. D is Samoan and African-American). They communicate in English but the densely layered tracks behind them reference Polynesian cultures as well as mainstream Afro-Caribbean reggae and African-American urban rap. "How Long" addresses the struggle of Pacific peoples to maintain or regain control of their ancestral lands.
Fiji, Teresa Bright, Natural Vibrations, Jamin "Chief Ragga" Wong, Anita Hall, and the Pato Bantan are among the guests who sit in with B.E.T. but never overshadow them.
This is one of the most notable contemporary local albums of the year and should make B.E.T. finalists in several categories at the Hoku Awards next spring.
http://www.olindaroad.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info
(no label)
Having survived lackluster management and the abrupt defection of several members, this debut album is a particular triumph for charter members Benjamin Juan, Jonathan Kaina and Glenn Miyashiro, who came through it all, and for John Ornellas and Richard Trigullo, who signed on when the group was pretty much down and out.
Add Tony and Jeannette Trevais, who were also part of the rebuilding process, and this lineup is the best in the group's history.
The album was recorded live at the Esprit Lounge and is essentially the show minus the visuals. The audio mix is uneven but the album displays the group's range and repertoire, and the skill of Jeannette Trevais in crafting medleys of pop chart hits by James Ingram, Santana, Ricky Martin, the Stylistics, Gloria Estefan and various Motown artists. Originals by Juan and Ornellas are among the other selections in the 76-minute set.
Kaina and Jeannette Trevais are the most memorable voices but all seven sing lead as well as harmonies. "Irresistible" should be a popular souvenir of a visit to the Esprit Nightclub, and serve as a benchmark for the group's next project.
http://www.honolulutheband.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info
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.
