Island Mele
Friday, February 2, 2001
Duo takes favorites
in new directionMaui Morning: By Riley Lee and Jeff Peterson (Hula Records International CDHRI-1013)ISLAND expatriate Riley Lee and Maui-based Jeff Peterson introduce a fresh note in island music as they blend the familiar sound of slack-key guitar with that of the shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute). Lee (shakuhachi) and Peterson (guitar) play as equal partners in reinterpreting popular island melodies ranging from "Kawika" to "Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u."The ambience is mellow enough to call the music "New Age" but the textures of the guitar and flute create a pleasant, natural organic sound that much "New Age" stuff lacks. The duo is clearly taking Hawaiian music in a fresh and imaginative new direction that has worldwide appeal.
Extensive annotation makes this a perfect introduction to the artists and the musical traditions they represent. Astute packaging ensures that even casual record store bin browsers can recognize the uniqueness of this album.
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u
Mauna Loa
Kawika
Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info
www.Hawaii-Calls.com
Na Mele O Pu'u wai: By Liann Iaea-Collazo (Kaleimele Productions Hawaii KPH001)A beautiful rendition of "E Ku'u Morning Dew" makes for a great first impression of vocalist Liann Iaea-Collazo. She doesn't disappoint thereafter. The ambience gradually shifts from acoustic Hawaiian standards to Hawaiian-language hymns sung in a modern electric soft-pop context but the results are exquisite throughout.Concise annotation completes this charming musical portrait by adding biographical information and sharing the reasons Iaea-Collazo chose each song.
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Morning Dew
Kanaka Wai Wai
He Aloha Ko Iesu
Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info
www.booklineshawaii.com
Roots & Culture Volume I: By various (Rip Tide RTR 2001)THE artists featured in this Jawaiian compilation are Hawaii residents. The "roots and culture" they honor are those of Jamaica. However, almost every song is a synth-based original and most merit play on local "island music" radio.This would be a more effective showcase for the artists if it had some information on who they are. As packaged there's no reason for a CD-bin browser to gamble the cost of a local CD to find out. Judged by their local-style reggae music these folks deserve a hearing.
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Promise Me
Better Days
Lovers Hideaway
Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info
Rip Tide Records
P.O. Box 1455
Puunene, HI 96794
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.