Island Mele

Friday, December 28, 2001

By John Berger

"Pau Hana Party"

Various artists
HanaOla

No one surpasses Mike Cord and Harry B. Soria Jr. in documenting Hawaiian music history with anthology albums. This one revives music of the early statehood era originally released on the Sounds of Hawaii, Makaha and Lehua labels. A few of these songs have been available on cheaply packaged CDs, but Soria's detailed annotation makes this the definitive reference.

Among the most welcome selections are two by the Invitations (the group's vocal arrangements are still being imitated). Bill Kaiwa's "Laupahoehoe Hula" and Myrtle K. Hilo's "Will You Love Me (When My Carburetor Is Busted)" are also big hits of the era. Classic recordings by Sonny Chillingworth, Leina'ala Haili, Hui Ohana, Jesse Kalima, Sonny Kamahele and Melveen Leed add other memories to this great retrospective.

www.cordinternational.com

MP3 Audio Clips: Will You Love Me (When My Carburetor Is Busted) Laupahoehoe Hula E Ku'u Baby Hot Cha Cha Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

"Hawaiian One On One"

Pu'uwai
(Simply Hawaiian)

Pu'uwai's first album was one of last year's obscurities. The group's second should establish them statewide as one of the most versatile of the "island music" bands. Pu'uwai -- then six, now four -- does the imitation-Jamaican thing quite well but is equally adept with Hawaiian falsetto, hapa-haole pop and gospel.

Band member Bradshaw Ellis' "In the Groove Baby" invites comparison to Willie K. The quartet, its studio sidemen and producer Rick Asher Keefer also deliver an imaginative reworking of Sam & Dave's 1968 hit, "I Thank You."

Jawaiian/"local reggae" is still what island music radio stations are promoting these days, but Pu'uwai's versatility should ensure it long-term success.

MP3 Audio Clips: Hawaiian One On One Ka 'Ua 'O Hualalai In The Groove Baby Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

"Genoa Keawe Sings Luau Hulas"

Genoa Keawe
(Hula)

This classic 1967 album is the latest freshly remastered release from the Hula Records vaults.

Keawe is the featured vocalist in an all-star band featuring Vickie I'i Rodrigues (slack-key guitar), Violet Pahu Lilikoi (acoustic bass), Pauline Kekahuna (guitar) and Benny Rogers (steel guitar).

The smooth harmonies and crisp acoustic arrangements are superb throughout.

Annotators Jean Sullivan and Cindy Lance provide the Hawaiian lyrics, translations and background information that make this a perfect introduction to Hawaiian music.

www.hawaii-calls.com

MP3 Audio Clips: Hola 'E Pae Meleana E Makee 'Ailana Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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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.