Brittingham’s
‘Angel’ heavenly
Angel with a Bad Intention: By Baird Brittingham (Risk Records)
BAIRD Brittingham's years knocking around town have paid off with this impressive new album. It's one of the best local mainstream pop albums thus far this year. All but one of the songs are originals co-written with various collaborators.
Ben Vegas shares credit for the title track, "Angel With A Bad Intention." It's a catchy and contemporary song with an easy listening arrangement.
Brittingham drew on the talents of an all-star studio ohana in creating a diversity of tempos, moods and textures. The collection brings to mind the most commercial work of Richard Marx; this is quality work throughout. There are no formulaic pop remakes or Jawaiian throwaways here!
Brittingham's debut album, "When the Night Falls," came out almost 13 years ago. This carefully crafted sequel is worth the wait.
In Search of Faith By Faith (Lil' Girl Creations)
THIS album surfaced recently amid an inept and ill-starred promotional blitz depicting a girl-group quartet.
It turns out that Faith is solely the effort of expatriate island girl Esther Faith Rivera. And, despite the "born again"-sounding album title, she's a mainstream secular artist.
Daniel Ho (another expatriate) does his best work ever as her band and musical collaborator; she's the singer/composer, and a talent in both capacities. Her articulate and incisive lyrics are reminiscent of Tasmin Archer and Alanis Morrisette.
A beautifully illustrated booklet of lyrics and artist's notes adds another dimension to her music. Intelligent women and perceptive men will likely find the album worth the purchase price.
Sweet Molokai By Isaac Kamaile and Craig Davies (A Lemurian Production), CD-singleCOMPOSER/ARRANGER Craig Davies teamed up with singer/musician Isaac Kamaile to create this ode to Molokai and its people.
The album's lyrics reflect a sharper awareness of mana and heritage than found in Ehukai's recording of "Moloka'i Slide." The arrangement effectively juxtaposes Hawaiian chant with English lyrics, rock guitar, ukulele, synthesizers and percussion. Cindy Combs, Liko Martin and John Pele joined Davies and Kamaile in recording it.
This album is a fresh and imaginative idea in modern Hawaiian music. Will it get play on our major "island music" radio stations? Don't hold your breath waiting!
John Berger, who has covered the local entertainment scene since 1972, writes reviews of recordings produced by Hawaii artists. See the Star-Bulletin's Home Zone section on Fridays for the latest reviews.
See Record Reviews for some of John Berger's past reviews.
