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Island Mele
More smooth
sounds from SOSLove Letters From Society of Seven:
Society of Seven (SOS Audio SOSCD)The Society of Seven marks 30 years headlining the Outrigger Main Showroom with an album that looks forward rather than back.
Time was when hot Top 40 tunes like "99.8" and "I'll Love You Through It All" defined the SOS sound. The group is now into soft pop and recording as an octet with Matt Catingub doing the synthetic instrumentation. It's a perfect sound for modern "beautiful music" radio.
"Pikake" showcases the smooth SOS harmonies, while the distinctive voices of Randy Abellar, Gary Bautista, Roy Guerzo and SOS leader Tony Ruivivar, stand out as lead vocals elsewhere.
Annotation by all SOS members shares the significance of the selections. This is a fine memento from the group that continues to reign as Hawaii's all-time top show band.
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Quicktime | MPEG-3 info
http://www.societyofseven.com
Kapena (KDE 6100)Local Christian albums need not be bland. Kapena makes that clear with its opener, "Jesus Got a Hold on my Life"/"I Came to Praise the Lord." Kelly De Lima sings the lead with power and feeling while the Tatofi brothers, Tivaini and Teimoni, add smooth harmonies. The result is a memorable musical performance as well as a personal testament of faith in Christ.
Synthesizer tracks are used in places, but the organic sound of the trio predominates.
"Sons And Daughters," first released on the 1996 "I'll Build You A Rainbow" album, adds a De Lima original to the collection.
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Quicktime | MPEG-3 info
Various (Hula Records International CDHRI-1009)Hula Records principal "Flip" McDiarmid went deep into the vaults assembling this interesting anthology. Some selections are out of print. Others add variety.
Prime cuts include Kimo Kahoano's hit signature, "It's Aloha Friday," and the magic of Peter Moon and the Brothers Cazimero in their Sunday Manoa days doing "Over You." Remember "Manoa Rain" by Rob & Gary? It's here too.
Hoku Award winners Darlene Ahuna and 'Elua Kane add modern hit appeal. Concise liner notes finish the package.
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Quicktime | MPEG-3 info
http://www.hawaiian-music.com
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.
