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Island Mele
Friday, January 19, 2001
Kahiapo’s
message smoothDAVID "Kawika" Kahiapo issues a call for reparations with the title track of his new album. He recounts in basic expository style the sordid history of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and despoliation of the Hawaiian people. An expository approach works well when a song writer seeks to educate and Kahiapo makes a welcome contribution to the campaign for reparations and full sovereignty.One Heart, One Voice: By David "Kawika" Kahiapo (Pono PRH 010CD)
Kahiapo addresses lighter subjects cataloging Windward Oahu's surf sites with "East Side Boardriders." Other songs speak of family members and his Christian faith.
Kahiapo's singing is reminiscent of Moe Keale and just as smooth. His work on percussion and several stringed instruments blends with that of Pierre Grill (keyboards/synthesizers) in crisp clean arrangements. Lyrics and translations complete the album.
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HERE'S an album for fans of true reggae and anyone partial to Big Mountain and THC. The enigmatic cover art includes Jewish, Buddhist and traditional Christian images but the message within is straight Rastafari. Rhythms percolate as the band renders homage to Jah Rastafari and shares doctrines of peace and harmony.The band boosts the tempo with "Dance Ram" and addresses secular topics elsewhere, but Rastafari is the primary theme. This is the first local religious album of 2001 and with its uplifting messages, is a fine one indeed.
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MYRON Richardson is the main guy in this album by Pozitiv NRG. Thompson is the lead vocalist, wrote six of the songs, and financed the project. It represents an admirable effort. Studio keyboards and other musicians reinforce the efforts of the basic drums/ bass/guitars quartet.Richardson sounds like an acolyte of John Rowles and favors expository ballads as a writer. A reggae version of Bill Withers' signature "Ain't No Sunshine" and a straight local lounge band take on Al Jarreau's "We're in This Love Together" add two proven hits.
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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.
