Island Mele

By John Berger

"Three Plus For You"

Three Plus
(Koops 2 Entertainment)

Three Plus is Tanoa Kapana (vocals), Marcus Malapeai (ukulele, keyboards, vocals) and Karl Zinsman (guitar, vocals). As a trio the musicians bring a unique sound to the Jawaiian/"island music" scene. Add studio musicians, celebrity guests and background singers, and they risk falling to the "just another Jawaiian band" category. Kapana is their ace in the hole; his voice is easily recognizable and helps maintain the trio's identity.

All three group members write commercial "island" music songs. "Undercover Lover," Kapana's tale of pursuing other men's wives or girlfriends, is one of several that should get play even on Oahu's remake-happy "island music" radio stations. "I'd Love to Love You" is reminiscent of Kalapana and hints at broader musical horizons. A semi-acoustic remake of "Betcha By Golly Wow" is another promising departure from routine Jawaiian riffs.

www.koops2.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: Undercover Lover I'd Love To Love You Is This Love Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

"One Day"

Eastbound
(Sugartown)

Eastbound is the vehicle of composer Aaron Aranita. He plays reeds and keyboards, and enlists other artists to fill out his creations. His 14 originals here range in style from electronic jazz to Brazilian-flavored pop. Five different lead vocalists and several combinations of musicians create such diversity between them that no clear focus emerges. He may be following the example of Nueva Vida's "New Life" album, but that was intended as a retrospective. This is not.

The title song addresses the general problems of hate and violence in breezy, light pop style. "Eleele," in contrast, is an earnest blending of local memories, jazz and the hapa-haole tradition. Aranita generally goes for an eclectro-jazz feel, but vocalist Harve Johnson adds some soul to the album on "I'll Say Goodbye." "Tell My Why? (Lady Di)," featuring Teresa Bright, is beautiful, too.

www.aaronaranita.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: Urbanity Eleele Antonio Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

" 'Ina'i 'Elua"

Various artists
('Ana Punana Leo)

Few things are more important to the full resurrection of Hawaiian sovereignty than restoring the Hawaiian language to its proper place as one of two "official" state languages. 'Ana Punana Leo has been working toward that one child at time; this anthology gives those outside the Hawaiian immersion program a chance to do some home study.

The songs and chants are modern but traditionalist in nature, some coming from the Hawaiian-language film "Ka'ililauokekoa," another cultural milestone.

Complete bilingual annotation, including lyrics and translations, adds to the overall educational value of this package.

www.ahapunanaleo.org

Mpeg Audio Clips: Kau Ka Pe'a, Holo Ka Wa'a Hanohano Pihanakalani Pua Onaona 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.