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Island Mele

By John Berger

Friday, November 19, 1999

‘Honey Baby’ sweet
debut for Three Plus

Honey Baby:
Three Plus (Poi Pounder - PPR 7002)

THE core members of Three Plus play guitar and ukulele, so pro-ducer Sean Na'auao added studio veterans Wendall Ching (drums) and Marvic Esquibil (synthesizers) as reinforcements on their debut album.

The ensemble offers a fine fresh take on "Who the Cap Fits," but most of the songs are catchy originals. The album is a fine calling card.

Despite occasional faux rasta bits, Three Plus is a solid and versatile local-style reggae band equally comfortable with contemporary local material. Three Plus should already be getting play on Hawaii's "island music" radio stations.

Mpeg Audio Clips: Two Person Party Honey Baby I Know Quicktime | MPEG-3 info

http://www.olindaroad.com

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Dance To My Music:
Loke (KDL - KDL JKL113)

LOKE Obrero Sasil surfaced in 1989 as part of a Matt Young production. She eventually broke away but seemed unable to grow beyond what she'd learned recording for him. Her second solo album is a great leap forward.

Sasil still likes a local reggae-lite sound and "Island Boys," a light local reggae original featuring reggae rapper Teomon, will likely be the local hit. The light pop title track and her playful take on "Hawaiian Rainbows" show her growth. "Why (A Cappella)" is beautiful but odd because she sings it with instrumental accompaniment.

Sasil and producer/arranger Ron Rhodes are remarkably successful with a light reggae remake of the Judds' "Love is Alive," but fail going country-lite with "Paper Roses." There's more to country music than nasal vocals and a metronomic beat!

Mpeg Audio Clips: Dance To My Music Love Is Alive Why (A Capella) Quicktime | MPEG-3 info

http://www.olindaroad.com

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Saxstan Magic:
Saxtan Magic (Saxtan Publishing - SPR 001)

SAXSTAN Magic is the latest project of indefatigable rapper SKI, aka Ski-Dog. Producer/composer/saxophonist Bo Stanley adds a live retro jazz sound reminiscent of the late '70s disco group A Taste of Honey.

"Point It" and "Song For Our Father" epitomize this promising rap-jazz fusion. Chicago's "Colour My World" is smoothly reworked as romantic rap, but "Cha Cha" strikes an odd note referring to "comin' back at ya for the Nine-Tray (1993)."

Mpeg Audio Clips: Point In Mr. Magic Song For Our Father Quicktime | MPEG-3 info

Walthen & Son Inc., Phone (808) 671-1771, fax (808) 676-5838

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See Record Reviews for some past reviews.
See Aloha Worldwide for locals living away.

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.