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Island Mele John Berger |
"Simple as a Sunrise"
Daniel Ho Creations
Daniel Ho can knock out slack key and mood music albums assembly-line style, but his new acoustic pop album is a one-off project that shows his awareness of detail and packaging. His versatility as a musician and composer has never been more evident either, playing all the instruments (except the drums), coming up with an interesting mix of moods and tempos.
Ho opens strong with "Off to Work," an upbeat song about life as a musician, and follows it with "Cup of Joe," a kicky song that uses a cup of coffee as a symbol of lasting love. While the other songs on the album are also solid, it's "Cup of Joe" that's most worthy of publicizing nationally.
A remake of "Faithfully" brings Ho's career-best album full circle, with another look at the experiences of working musicians.
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"Aloha Festivals Hawaiian
Falsetto Contest Winners Vol. V"
Hula
Hula Records' fifth falsetto anthology is a milestone since it contains recordings by three 2003 contest winners. Matthew Sproat represents the Big Island's Clyde "Kindy" Sproat Storytelling and Falsetto Contest, Imipono Cabrinha is the 2003 Frank B. Shaner Hawaiian Falsetto Contest winner, and Kamaka Fernandez debuts as the first winner of the Richard Ho'opi'i Leo Ki'eki'e Contest on Maui.
Once again the record label has cut no corners in producing the winners' recording studio debuts. Arranger William "Baba" Alimoot leads several musicians in providing solid instrumental support, but always lets the three winners shine. In short, this is another must-buy for falsetto fans.
Those who bought this CD at Shaner's contest at the Sheraton Waikiki last Saturday can call 756-4852 to get the complete liner notes booklet.
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"Dancing Under the Moonlight"
Eagle
Anyone who attempts to record a commercially viable album in a language they're not yet fluent in at least deserves some credit for making the effort. Whether they deserve your money is something else again, and this album by Japanese vocalist Emii Katoo is a close call. Some may find her accented vocals alluring and, because of that, may overlook this album's weaknesses.
An opening medley of "Moon of Manakoora" and "Fly Me to the Moon" introduces Katoo and her accompanists, Kunia Galdeira, Kelvin Kealoha and Elmer "Sonny" Lim Jr. Unfortunately, it's the weakest song on the album -- the man singing with her should have let her sing it solo!
A male kibitzer in the middle of "Blue Hawaii" was another bad idea, but the quartet gets a passing grade for "Stardust," "Hanalei Moon" and "On a Tropic Isle," since the lyrics and arrangements fit Katoo better.
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