Island Mele
Howard Shapiro has lived here since 1966 and loves Hawaii with the passion of someone who is a resident by choice rather than accident. He mourns the despoliation of the islands in the name of economic growth, and is a staunch supporter of native Hawaiian nationalism. Many of his songs have that thematic undercurrent; some address the issue directly. "Ka 'Aina"
Howard Shapiro
Kumanu Music / KM 1008Shapiro writes and plays in the style of the contemporary folk-rock troubadour. He sometimes ignores conventional principles of rhyme and meter and occasionally resorts to sloganeering, but the depth of his feelings for the traditional Hawaiian culture is always clear.
Those who remember his 1989 album "Peacemakers" will welcome his return on this album, along with his heightened nationalist perspective.
(808) 985-8725
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Taro Man
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Even though Alondres now lives in New York and records in California, the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts still considers it a local album because it's represented by a local distributor. This album, a gorgeous celebration of classic American pop music, should be considered a front-runner in whatever Hoku Awards categories it will be eligible for in 2004. "Dreams Do Come True" is another gem Hawaii can be happy to claim as its own. "Dreams Do Come True"
Janine Alondres
Honu Productions / CD 19202-2Alondres sings fresh jazzy arrangements of pop standards with a panache and full-bodied appeal rarely heard here -- think, perhaps, of Andrea Young or Kelly Covington. From "All My Tomorrows" through "God Bless the Child," each selection feels more exquisite than the next. Alondres' voice eclipses some questionable string tracks in the otherwise lush arrangements and guarantees that this beautiful album will be the soundtrack for many a romantic moment.
www.janinealondres.com
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The steel guitar is rarer than it should be in local music these days, and that makes steel guitarist Eddie Palama the key ingredient in the music of Hawai'i Loa. The trio's album consists primarily of Hawaiian and hapa-haole standards, and Palama's playing provides the sound many visitors want to hear when they come to Hawaii. Not only will they find this album a perfect souvenir, complete with song lyrics and cultural information, but connoisseurs of Hawaiian music will find it appealing as well. "Aloha is a Love"
Hawai'i Loa
Aloha First International / No serial numberSteel fans will particularly enjoy the instrumentals that showcase Palama, but he adds melodic embellishments throughout. Joseph Mokulehua (electric bass and guitar) and Herb Lee Jr. (guitar, ukulele and tiple) make up the rhythm section and all three sing.
"Maunaloa," "Ka Ipo Lei Manu" and "Nani Ka'ala" are among the standards that represent their best work. The originals are less remarkable but share Lee's thoughts on relationships and aloha.
lee3com@aol.com
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See Record Reviews for some past reviews.
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. Contact John Berger at jberger@starbulletin.com.
