[ MAUKA-MAKAI ] COMPILATION ALBUMS containing songs by several acts have become popular in Hawaii to introduce several new artists at once. ‘Pure Hawaiian’
is a good intro to modern
island musicLISTEN UP
Reviews by John Berger
Star-BulletinLocal radio legend Ron Jacobs introduced the concept in a big way with three "Homegrown" albums showcasing winners of his KKUA contests in the mid-'70s. Jacobs revived the tradition with "Homegrown '97" and it has been continued in the "Pride of the Islands" and "Brownbags to Stardom" series by other radio stations.
Some local labels add value to their compilations by including information about the artists and song histories. An album with background information is a valuable reference. Other labels are into recycling their old stuff as cheaply as possible and include no information at all. Those bottom-of-the-barrel albums are an embarrassment.
The latest trend is to include a couple of rarities by a popular local or national artist as bait for fans who might pass on common material, but pay $15 or $20 to get one out-of-print song! Whatever the "bait" may be, the strategy is to sell an artist's popular song two or three times while avoiding the expense of new recordings.
Here's a list of recent compilations, starting with the best:
"Pure Hawaiian" The diversity of modern Hawaiian music from chant to Jawaiian is heard in these 18 songs apparently culled at random from various labels. Many songs have Hawaiian lyrics, but there is no immediate common denominator of style, chronology or relative significance. Most are classics; several are not. Most of the artists need no introduction, but one or two are unknowns. It's good to see that two of Hawaii's three hot young neo-traditionalist groups -- Maunalua and Pai'ea -- are here.
Quiet Storm (QS1010)This sampler will be of interest to people just beginning to discover Hawaiian music. Annotation and lyric translations by Puakea Nogelmeier make it worthwhile.
"Songs of Paradise Hawaii" This unpretentious anthology is a delightful discovery that shares the recent work of artists old and new. The roster includes Leon & Malia (who have been around since the '70s) and ki ho'alu guitarist Ray Sowders, who released his debut album last year. Liann Iaea Collazo, Larry Kaliloa and instrumental duo Leon Siu & David Kahiapo are the others who contribute to a beautiful and diverse collection that includes both Christian and secular music, Hawaiian and pop, originals and remakes.
Kaleimomi Productions Hawaii (KPH002)There are Christian hymns played ki ho'alu style, beautiful renditions of island standards such as Collazo's treatment of "E Ku'u Morning Dew," and Kaliloa's original "Hanapepe" is a noteworthy addition.
"Dreams of Hawaii: Smooth Steel Guitar" This delightful anthology consists of 19 recordings originally produced by Nancy M. Gustafsson and Vic "Lanakila" Rittenband for their Kokua Records label in the '80s. All but one is an original song written by either Rittenband or Gustafsson. The first 15 are recorded as instrumentals and feature steel guitarists such as Alan Akaka, Casey Olsen or Bud Tutmarc. The last four also feature hapa-haole vocalists of comparable stature.
Hana Ola (HOCD 39000)
"Best of Fat Katz Vol. I" Fat Katz hit it big in the late '90s with the Hoku Award-winning hits of Darren Benitez, Sean Na'auao's breakthrough "Fish and Poi," Darren Benitez's nod to his Puerto Rican roots "Palo Polito," and Baba B's debut, "Big Boy in Love." The Fat Katz roster was predominately Jawaiian, and many of the label's acts called upon Fiji to add some soul power to their recordings, but Benitez and Dennis Daz Jr. represented a more traditional Hawaiian sound. Count this as a great overview of Fat Katz to date.
Fat Katz Productions (FKP 7004)
"Big Island's Own" This merely functional compilation came out of a contest conducted by four Big Island radio stations. It has 16 songs by Big Island artists who write and play traditional Hawaiian, Jawaiian, rock and pop, but it provides no information about any of them! There are, however, some fine performances here, some imaginative songwriting and a bunch of promising performers who deserve better treatment than this cut-rate promotional project gives them.
J.A.G.S. Entertainment (JAG 001)
"Island Love Shack" A commercial mix of recycled material, four new songs and several oldies leased from national or international labels. Most of the recycled stuff consists of pop-lite puffery or sincere but pointless Jawaiian remakes. "Witness Stand" by Chaka Demus & Pliers, two oldies by Bitty McLean and a song by Lukie D are the international hits added as bait for reggae fans.
Neos Productions (V054)The nominal title track is one of four newly recorded songs unavailable on other albums. Jenn Wright teams up with B.E.T. to rehash the B-52's' great 1989 hit, "Love Shack"; Wright's tampering with the original lyrics is a bad idea, but she has a pleasant voice, and rappers Papa T and J.D. work their usual rhythmic prowess around her. Few of the other remakes are worth hearing.
"Good Feeling" by Ho'onua and Red Eye, "Let's Hook It Up" by B.E.T., Norm Thompson's "Thinking of You," Justin Young's sweetly languid "You're All I Need" and the Bergstrom Brothers' production of "Juliet" (as recorded by Sunland) are other noteworthy songs here.
"Aloha From Hawaii: Da Best of MDL" MDL was a small-time label active in the mid-'80s. Its top artists included Na Leo Pilimehana, Moe Keale and Butch Helemano, but this "best of" contains nothing by the female trio. The Hoku-winning recording of Keale singing "Aloha Is" is also missing (so much for the "best of" concept!). This hodgepodge includes a local hit or two, a couple of songs that might have been hits with better promotion and more exposure, and several very obscure oddities.
MDL (MDL6436)
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