Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Winning CDs,
judging by
Hoku awards

By John Berger
Special to the Star-Bulletin

KEALI'I Reichel was the big winner last week as the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts voted his fourth album, "Melelana," tops in six categories including Album of the Year.

Na Leo received a total of four awards for their last two albums, while a change in HARA rules allowed the duo of Amy Hanaiali'i & Willie K to compete as a "female vocalist" even though they were considered a "duo or group" in other categories. Thirteen other releases also were winners.

For those who missed these discs when they were released, here are capsule reviews:

"Melelana" by Keali'i Reichel (Punahele Productions)
Winner: Album of the Year, Favorite Entertainer (by public vote), Hawaiian Album, Male Vocalist, Engineering (to Jim Linkner), Liner Notes (to Keali'i Reichel and Puakea Nogelmeier)

Keali'i Reichel and his Punahele Productions team hew close to the format that made him a local superstar: gentle ballads in English and Hawaiian, kaona-rich chant and mele, beautiful acoustic instrumental arrangements, a pop remake or two, and new compositions by Reichel and Puakea Nogelmeier.

It is a tranquil and introspective experience overall with "Hanohano 'O Maui" offering a slightly brisker change of tempo at the midpoint.

No changes in the eligibility requirements for Male Vocalist of the Year were necessary to make Reichel a three-time winner in that category. He and Nogelmeier share credit for the annotation and translations that make the Hawaiian-language songs more accessible for mainstream audiences.

No question about it, Reichel and his ohana are maintaining the commitment to excellence established by his multiHoku-winning debut album, "Kawaipunahele," in 1994.

HARA has never considered music videos to be recordings and has yet to recognize the multimedia tracks on enhanced CDs but "Melelana" contains a number of additional tracks for those with the basic computer skills necessary to access them.

"I Miss You, My Hawaii" by Na Leo (NLP)
Winner: Group of the Year, Island Contemporary Album, Song of the Year (composer's award) to Kenneth Makuakane for "I Miss You, My Hawai'i"

Na Leo and co-producer Kenneth Makuakane show skill as song stylists in offering fresh perspectives on songs strongly identified with other artists.

Makuakane has been the foundation of Na Leo's production team since 1993. Makuakane continues to contribute as a composer as well. The Hoku-winning title track is one of several tunes he has written for them.

"Pure Heart 2" by Pure Heart (Four Strings)
Winner: Contemporary Album, Graphics (to Preston Terada)

"Pure Heart 2" improved in every way on the high standards set by the group's debut and found the trio still growing as musicians and song stylists. Fresh arrangements featuring Jake Shimabukuro and Lopaka Colon add a twist to pop remakes. Two Shimabukuro originals also were notable. A track featuring Jake's brother, Bruce, was a highlight when the album came out and even more significant in retrospect.

"American Soul" Dave Brier (Big Pineapple)
Winner: Rock Album

Dave Brier released his album without fanfare sometime last year but sent copies to the HARA membership during the voting. He is a troubadour who favors a somber rock/folk style in his chronicles of modern America.

The title track ponders the erosion of the American dream while celebrating its promise. Brier writes of night surfing, motorcycles, religion, desire and a near-death experience with equal skill.

"Four Hands Hot and Sweet" by Cyril Pahinui & Bob Brozman (Dancing Cat)
Winner: Instrumental Album

The interplay between Pahinui (slack key) and Brozman (acoustic steel guitar) creates a beautiful introduction to both instruments. Some songs have a tranquil meticulousness. Others have the spirit of a backyard jam. Pahinui's singing adds warmth and variety.

"Hawaiian Man" by Weldon Kekauoha (A Guava Ding Ting)
Winner: Most Promising Artist

Weldon Kekauoha's debut is an excellent calling card that includes originals, Hawaiian standards, and the inevitable reggae-lite rhythms and Top 40 remakes. Song lyrics, English translations, and additional information complete this a perfect introduction to Kekauoha and his music.

"Ho'okena 5" by Ho'okena (Ho'omau)
Winner: Hawaiian Language Performance (adjudicated), Haku Mele (adjudicated composer's award): Lee Ann Anuenue Punua for "Pua A'ali'i"

Ho'okena's primary sound, as always, is acoustic with the lead voices complimented by group harmonies. Most of the songs are sung in Hawaiian but there are five English songs as well. The most notable work is "E Ku Kanaka," which reaffirms the group's support of Hawaiian sovereignty.

Hula Joe & The Hutjumpers" by Hula Joe & The Hutjumpers (Black & Tan)
Winner: Jazz Album

Hula Joe & The Hutjumpers wasn't the first local act to jump on the neo-swing craze but the band goes beyond simply imitating the Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Royal Crown Revue. Some songs are catchy originals with island themes. Others are hapa-haole classics redone with authentic big band arrangements.

"Hymns of Hawaii" by George Kahumoku & Daniel Ho (Aire Music)
Winner: Religious Album

George Kahumoku sings and plays 12-string guitar. Hawaii expatriate Daniel Ho adds ukulele or guitar and occasional synthetics. The music is beautiful, and the detailed annotation makes this a perfect introduction to the artists and the Christian tradition in Hawaii.

"in a positive Vibrations" by Typical Hawaiians (Dinosaur Mountain)
Winner: Reggae Album

Caribbean rhythms and faux-Jamaican accents dominate as Typical Hawaiians makes its debut with help from a squad of veteran musicians, singers, rappers and songwriters. Several originals make it clear though that these guys have the potential to grow within their chosen genre of Jawaiian and local-style reggae.

"Live at the Captain's Table" by Frank DeLima (Pocholinga)
Winner: Comedy Album

Frank DeLima is at his best in front of an audience and this disc captures him on opening night. It's a great souvenir that includes song parodies and comic sketches with popular old bits skillfully recycled. "Eat Rice," DeLima's version of Baz Lurhman's "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) Mix" is one of the big numbers.

"Na Kumu Hula: Songs From the Source Volume II" by various artists (State Council on Hawaiian Heritage)
Winner: Compilation (producer's award): Keahi Allen

The State Council on Hawaiian Heritage helps perpetuate Hawaiian as a living language and preserve what remains of pre-contact culture. Some of the kumu hula here present pure chant and percussion. Others use instruments and musical traditions of European origin including modern synthetic effects.

"Na Leo" by Na Leo (NLP)
Winner: Anthology (producer's award): Na Leo and Kenneth Makuakane

The title reflects a name change as Na Leo dropped the lengthy "Pilimehana" from its name in its bid for national success. The disc offers a good sampling of the best of the trio's last three albums.

"Nostalgia" by Amy Hanaiali'i & Willie K (Mountain Apple)
Winner: Female Vocalist

Amy Hanaiali'i & Willie K won "Group of the Year" last year with "Hanaiali'i." Her voice and his tremendous talent and imagination as a musician and arranger makes "Nostalgia" a delight as well.

The duo takes English-language songs that either date from the Territorial Era or perpetuate the hapa-haole tradition and perform them in Hawaiian and in styles ranging from pop to the blues.

It is clear however that this album is the work of both -- not a solo Hanaiali'i project in spite of HARA's ruling, deeming it a "female vocalist" winner.

"These Islands" by Danny Couch (Danny Couch)
Winner: Single of the Year

"These Islands" was first released as a track on Danny Couch's 1997 album, "Almost Paradise." Al Masini recognized the song's potential value as a theme for a visitor-oriented marketing campaign and so it was part of the Miss Universe Pageant in 1998. The song more than two years old when Couch rereleased it as single but HARA considered it "new." It is still a beautiful ode to Hawaii.

"Three Generations -- 'Ekolu Hanauna Nei" by 'Ikaika Brown & Three Generations (Pepeiao)
Winner: Haku Mele (adjudicated composer's award): Ida Pakulani Long for "Opiopio"

Henry H. Brown Sr., his son Kevin, and grandson 'Ikaika, are featured in an assortment of modern Hawaiian music ranging from family originals to pop chart remakes and Jawaiian tunes. Kevin and 'Ikaika play as a duo on a couple of tracks but this is a collection of separate performances tracing the evolution of Hawaiian music through three generations.

"Willie Kalikimaka" by Willie K (Mountain Apple)
Winner: Christmas Album

Willie K again displays imagination and range as a song stylist and contemporary musician with this eclectic disc. The liner notes don't mention that several of the most noteworthy songs are originals. "O Holy Night" and a country blues arrangement of "Away In A Manger" with Willie Nelson are two other obvious highlights.

Click for online
calendars and events.