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Island Mele

Friday, September 1, 2000

By John Berger

Album true to
reggae tradition

Leave Some Land:
By Shilo Pa (Poi Boy Records PBRCD-0100)

THE title song is one of several that should become local reggae hits as Shilo Pa calls on local politicians to "leave some land for the Hawaiian people." The Kauai resident perpetuates the traditions of true reggae with another original as he decries greed-driven development in "Whatever Happened To Hanalei." Pa salutes Bob Marley and other Jamaican and English stars who've inspired him with "Sweet Reggae." He changes genre with a C&K-style ballad, "Straight To The Heart," that should get play even on local stations that aren't into island music.

It's hard to see how helicopters violate his constitutional rights but read between the lines of "Helicopters" and the message is clear: Legalize Marijuana!

http://www.poiboyrecords.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: Helicopters Straight To The Heart Leave Some Sand Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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50th State of Mind:
By Hawaii (Koa Records KOA 104)

HAWAII is the vehicle of Renn Loa, a former isle resident, who recorded this here but is apparently based in Norway with Hawaii/Wave Norway producers Yngve Leidulv Setre and Hans Petter Gundersen. Add a team of Hawaii players including Noel Okimoto, Lyle Ritz, Steve Jones, Kit Ebersbach, and Cyril Pahinui, and the eclectic results will appeal to the adventuresome.

Loa opens with an inspired update of "Hawaii '78" then moves into originals. Some draw on the "exotica" of Martin Denny. Others are reminiscent of the tropical-rock sound of Jimmy Buffet or offer a cross-cultural mix of pop or rock melodies accented by "third world" percussion instruments. Little of this is "Hawaiian" in the strictest sense of the word, but neither is Jawaiian. Loa deserves to be heard here.

(808) 837-7800

Mpeg Audio Clips: Hawaii '78 Bubble Girl Strange Strange Place Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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Dawning:
By Halau Ai I Ka Wekiu (The Mountain Apple Company MACD 2072)

KUMU hula Michael Nalanakila Casupang and Karl Veto Baker mark their halau's 5th anniversary with this beautiful album. Most of the songs are originals -- one or two with input from their kumu, Robert Cazimero. The ambience -- clean acoustic arrangements, harmonizing, piano -- is thus both familiar and certain to please fans of the Cazimeros, Ho'okena and Kaipo Hale. With its comprehensive annotation this is also a fine introduction to traditionalist Hawaiian music.

http://www.mountainapplecompany.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: Eia Ke Aloha Ma Ka Hikina He Aloha Moloka'i Hale Lehua, I Love You So Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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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.