Please support our very first Starbulletin.com advertiser!

Island Mele

Friday, February 9, 2001

By John Berger

Kumukahi:
The lady can play

E Ku'u Lei E Ku'u Ipo:
By Ku'uipo Kumukahi (Ululani URCD 1001)

GORGEOUS vocals and beautiful arrangements make Ku'uipo Kumukahi's new album a delightful celebration of classic Hawaiian and hapa-haole music. Kumukahi is equally appealing in both languages. Credit Kumukahi and her musicians with maintaining a fine organic ambience although "Waters Of Kauai" includes a little synth in the mix.

"Ukulele Lady" is put in fresh perspective when paired with a Kumukahi original, "The Lady Can Play." It's a nice idea and works out well.

Malihini and hula students alike will applaud the inclusion of song lyrics and translations. Karen Ka'ohulani Aiu's annotation helps explain the significance of each selection.

http://www.lava.net/halauhawaii/kealohi.htm

MP3 Audio Clips: E Ku'u Lei E Ku'u Ipo Kalena Kai Ne Nei Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

---

Wonderland:
By Diamond Point (Cinnamon Red CRR0020)

OLD skool meets modern Jawaiian pop as hot Jawaiian/local pop producer Wendell Ching hooks up with composer/keyboardist Kurt Kaminaka, a local pop veteran whose credits go back to his days with Glass Candle in the early '70s.

This is an inspired pairing. Kaminaka has been working on solo projects for at least 20 years. This is his career best. All the songs are originals and most of the arrangements show Ching's command of the catchy commercial reggae-style riffs that dominate much of local radio. One or two songs reflect Kaminaka's long-standing preference for languorous '80s-style pop ballads and electric piano. Kaminaka is back!

Phone: (808) 545-3637

MP3 Audio Clips: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Dream Into The Night Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

---

Smile:
By Dennis James Lee (Leapfrog Productions LFCD 2001)

WHO is Dennis James Lee? That question goes unanswered as he debuts with an album of pop chart remakes and unknown songs by other writers. More information is provided on Tom Moffatt -- who endorses Lee but has no other ties to the album -- than on Lee, a former Hawaii resident now based in Los Angeles.

Lee and producer Alwyn Erub open with formula calypso-lite stuff but move into a more promising local pop sound reminiscent of Danny Couch, Kevin I and Audy Kimura. Erub and Lee also make like Frank DeLima in using "Mambo #5" as a dialect comedy song about local food that could become Lee's musical signature.

http://www.leapfrogprod.com

MP3 Audio Clips: Hula Girl Mambo #5 Now And Forever Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

---

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.