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Island Mele
Friday, February 4, 2000
Island music has
appeal in ChineseHawaiian Songs in Chinese:
Mimy (no label)Hawaiian songs have been sung in English for many years, so why not in Chinese? Beijing-born Hawaii resident Mimy Chen sings an assortment of Hawaiian and hapa-haole standards ranging from "Aloha 'Oe" to "Honolulu City Lights."
The album will be of greatest interest to Mandarin-speaking visitors and could become a hot title if Chinese come here in large numbers. However, Chen's work stands on its own merits. She has an appealing voice and the arrangements neatly use live instruments as well as synthetics. Her album is a notable musical milestone.
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Quicktime | MPEG-3 info
E-mail: li-mimy-chen@worldnet.att.net
George Kahumoku Jr. & Daniel Ho (Aire)The most substantial Christian albums are those of interest for the quality of their music as well as for their testament to the performer's Christian faith. This collaboration by George Kahumoku Jr. and Hawaii expatriate Daniel Ho is one of the substantial ones. Kahumoku is featured on vocals and 12-string guitar. Ho adds ukulele or guitar and occasional synthetics. Ho uses the synthetic effects sparingly and this is a rare case in which they enhance the arrangements.
"Lokomaika'i (Amazing Grace)" and "Kanaka Waiwai" are two of the 10 songs that Kahumoku and Ho beautifully interpret. Detailed annotation makes this album a perfect introduction to the artists and the Christian traditions of Hawaii.
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Amazing Grace
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Quicktime | MPEG-3 info
http://www.danielho.com
Pat Rocco (Cabin)Never mind the artwork or that this is "THE FIRST CD OF 2000." Pat Rocco loves the American pop songs that ruled the white record charts back before rock 'n' roll, in the days when pop hits were intricate and Broadway musicals had songs you'd go home singing. Rocco does them all with feeling and adds value here by investing in a small but tight band instead of relying on synthesizers.
Some of his choices are pop standards. Others are obscure but interesting. A couple of tracks are songs he recorded 40-plus years ago. Fans of classic American pop will find this a beautiful soundtrack for Valentine's Day.
Mpeg Audio Clips:
(When I Fall In Love)
(Saturday Night)
Quicktime | MPEG-3 info
Cabin Records; c/o 12-7007 Kaehukai Street; Pahoa, Hawaii 96778
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.
