BABA B
In concert: 6-10 p.m. tomorrow
By John Berger
Special to the Star-Bulletin
When Baba B and his manager, Herb Kealoha, show up for an early lunch at Monterey Bay Canners, it marks the late start of a busy day.
"I almost missed this session because I was sleeping," Baba confesses. "I was trying to finish a song last night and couldn't sleep till I finished. Came this morning, Herb was over 10:30, 'Baba, get up!' "
Songwriting is a priority for 23-year-old Baba. He wrote five of the 10 songs on his big 1997 debut album, "Big Boy In Love." He wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 12 on his new second album, "Local Boy." The new album shows growth and experience in other areas as well. Several songs on the first album proclaimed his pride in being a resident of the Waianae coast. Although the first two songs on the new album restate that theme, Baba is now writing songs that embrace the people of other districts as well.
"It's silly for them to fight because they're from different parts of the island. Just be proud you're from Hawaii, period. Music can put the violence on the side. I noticed when I play at the Shell and I sing about the westside, everybody from the side I live on is yelling and everybody from Waimanalo-side is booing 'em. Next time I play the Shell I gon' play 'Windward Side,' too. I hope everybody just come together as one. I feel like music can do that."
Baba ventured to windward Oahu for a nephew's party, rode the H-3 for the first time, and was so impressed overall the song came to him in about 20 minutes.
"I wanted to give something back to the people of the windward side, especially all the people who supported me on the windward side like Laie and Waimanalo and Kaneohe. A big mahalo for supporting local music and especially myself."
Baba has been giving back in other ways as well. He visits elementary and intermediate schools to talk with kids "about their goals, what they want to be, and how to do it."
Baba's goal in third grade was to be an entertainer. He tells the kids that he didn't just dream about doing it. He took chorus, sang in choir, joined the school band and spent as much time as possible playing his ukulele at Waianae High. A few short years later he's a successful recording artist with a growing fan club, and endorsement deals with Penal Code clothing, Local Motion, Sonny D 'Ukuleles, and Anheuser-Busch.
Shooting pool, raising dogs, playing chess, time with family, putting "mileage on my Play Station" and communicating with his fans are among Baba's other interests, but being with his girlfriend tops the list.
The ballads on the first album, weren't written for anyone in particular, he says, "but a majority of the ballads on this album are my feelings towards her. A lotta people don't want to sing that type of (personal) song, but you gotta sing what's in your heart and let everybody know."
Baba takes advantage of a break in the conversation to call his girlfriend at her office. When he learns that she won't be able to take a lunch break, he has a take-out order added to the bill. He'll deliver it on the way to his next appointment.
One of Baba's most memorable early songs was his tribute to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, "Iz I Wanna Be Like You," and one of his biggest thrills as a neophyte recording artist was getting "the big man's" encouragement and approval.
"When I was growing up I always was one to listen to Israel's recordings. I always listened to Makaha Sons when it was Makaha Sons and Skippy, so I had a lot of inspiration from him. I wanted to tell him thank you so much times but I never got the chance, so I wrote the song. When I met him he was such a nice person and when he heard the song he told me, 'Boy, it's good you like be like me, but no be big like me.' "
Baba adds when asked, that, yes, he is now hearing from kids who say they want to be like him.
BABA B builds on the success of his impressive debut album, "Big Boy In Love" with his second. The strengths of the first album have been retained, but he is clearly growing and expanding his focus as a musician and songwriter. He wrote or co-wrote almost all the songs. A successful second act
Local Boy Baba B (Fat Katz Productions)"Windward Side," a salute to the famous musicians of the area, uses a familiar blend of ukulele riffing, Jamaican-style rhythms and early '60s teen-pop melodic progressions. Several other originals are smooth expository love songs. Baba and producer Jeff Rasmussen generally show commendable restraint with their synthetic string section on the ballads; the two share credit as arrangers throughout.
Baba will certainly speak for many less articulate guys with the plaintive "I Love You Means I Love You," while his female fans will wish they were the inspiration for "Lehuanani."
"Hawaiian Feeling" contains an acknowledged interpolation of Blondie's "Tide Is High," but Baba avoids pop chart rehashes. He embraces people outside Waianae with "Guam" and "Windward Side," addresses nationalist concerns with "Makua" and speaks for many Oahu residents with his rendition of "This Island's Too Crowded."
Add the catchy title song with its good-time refrain, "I'm just another local boy from the islands," and enough light faux-Jamaican rap overall to win the approval of "island music" radio stations, and the result is another winner for Baba B.
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