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Island Mele
Friday, March 2, 2001
Maui team shows promise
MAUI-BASED Kupono Kane -- Kyle Arakawa and Lane Ikawa -- makes a strong debut with support from Herb Ohta Jr. and a few studio musicians. The guys combine crisp arrangements with clean youthful harmonies. They should be instant hits with preteen fans of Jawaiian and contemporary island pop. Six of the songs are originals by Arakawa or Ikawa. Another is by Ikawa's younger sister. The three have promise as writers. Weekend in Makena:
By Kupono Kane (Kelela KR1001)The guys do a nice job with John Cruz's "Island Style" but their originals are the treasures. The one problematic tune is "Into Me," a remake that uses enough of "The Tracks Of My Tears" as a hook that composer Smokey Robinson seems due a credit and royalties.
http://www.booklineshawaii.com
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DAMON Williams' second album takes him far beyond the local pop sound of his 1997 debut. Then he was a promising talent looking for solid material. Now he has it. With Fiji as producer and mentor, Damon has a harder and more commercial sound perfect for local radio and national consideration alike.
By Damon (Ricochet RCR-1003)Almost every song here is new and now. "Polynesian Soldiers" uses reggae rhythms to power a strong condemnation of American involvement in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. "Free Up The Land" is a brilliant cross-cultural composition that should already be a nationalist anthem.
"My Island Maui" shows how well Damon interprets gentle ballads. Several songs capture his romantic appeal as a soulful ladies' man. A "bonus track" proves he and his crew can do uptempo dance mixes as well.
http://www.ricochetrecords.com
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ILONA Irvine has come a long way since she did these tracks as a protege of Malia Rosa Kahahawai and Loke Obrero Sasil. This album shows that she was generally better than the thin Jawaiian-lite and synth-based local pop arrangements she had to work with. Why would any one clone Irene Cara's "Anyone Can See"?
By Ilona Irvine (Rose ROS 2000)There's nothing here from her 1997 career-best album, "Princess," and no information on Irvine or her career. The crudely done cover art doesn't do her justice either.
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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.
