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Island Mele John Berger |
"I Want My Island Girl"
Darrell Labrado
Aloha Entertainment GroupDarrell Labrado doesn't seem to get the radio play that his work as a Jawaiian/pop recording artist deserves, but this CD single, released for sale as a preview of his next album, could change that. The leadoff "album version" of the song combines a salute to local girls with a Jawaiian beat that should be perfect for Hawaii's self-styled island music-format radio stations. Producer Chris Pati has Labrado singing in a style reminiscent of Stevie Wonder over an arrangement that includes just a hint of the vibe of Madonna's "Vogue."
With vocal support by local reggae-styled singers and references to island locales, Labrado is set to hit it big here with the basic Jawaiian-pop arrangement and two reggae remixes. Three additional versions crafted by DJ Mykonos slip fragments of the original song into uptempo dance club beats. Two photos of a bare-chested Labrado should reinforce his appeal to "boy candy" fans.
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I Want My Island Girl (Album version)
"The One Who Loves You!"
7 Simple Pieces
4 His GloryHawaii is seeing a resurgence these days of recordings by both Christian artists as well as group projects such as Gordon Broad's recent "Jesus Said ..." album. This CD single introduces 7 Simple Pieces and is a preview of the octet's upcoming debut album.
Two original songs suggest the group's range. The title song uses catchy uptempo rhythms and light local-style rap to deliver the message that "the meaning of true love ... is J-E-S-U-S." The other song, "One," is a gentle song of praise that expresses the ideal of worshiping together as one voice and loving God with one heart.
The final track, "A Minute for Eternity," is a narrative piece that cites scripture before ending with an invitation to pray along with the group and accept Christ into the listener's life.
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"Seasons Change"
Edgewater
7ATE9Veteran recording artists Denny Miyashiro and Dave-Ray Toma are the principal players in Edgewater. Their new project has 11 Miyashiro originals that should appeal to local listeners who recall when jazzy pop music was hot here. There are traces of Steely Dan, the Little River Band, and, possibly, Michael Franks in Toma's edgier arrangements. Tracks such as "This Dance" and "Ku'u Lei" are pure pop ballads perfect for Hawaii.
Kutmaster Spaz, Barry Flanagan, James Ronstadt and Michael Paulo all sit in with Toma and the studio musicians; Miyashiro is the voice of Edgewater. There are no instant hits here, but they gradually become memorable on repeat listening. "Until Then," for example, seems at first to be bringing the theme of the title song full circle, but moves into darker territory with a beautifully detailed arrangement. And is Miyashiro a sun worshiper or does his expansive finale, "You Are The One," contain some hidden meaning?
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See the Columnists section 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.
