Island Mele
Few sequels match up to the original item. The second album by Na 'Oiwi is a rare exception. With Dennis Kamakahi at the helm, and Mike Kaawa adding his musical mana'o, this sequel has everything that made the quartet's first album memorable -- and more. "The Sequel"
Na 'Oiwi
(Na 'Oiwi Productions)The foundation is Hawaiian, but the arrangements are cross-cultural and delightfully eclectic. Kamakahi's work on five-string banjo behind Kaawa on "'Ama 'Ama" puts a fresh spin on the song while honoring the spirit of the original. Harmonica, Hawaiian percussion, electric bass and the careful use of guitar synth effects work equally well elsewhere.
Those familiar with Kamakahi's work will applaud fresh takes on his most popular classic compositions and welcome several new songs. Also new here is Kamakahi's son, David, as a vocalist; he's featured on a satisfactory reworking on "Stray Cat Strut." Kamakahi acolyte Jon "Stallion" Yamasato provides solid support on bass and congas, and a vocal or two also.
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Kupono Kane -- Maui's Kyle Arakawa and Lane Ikawa -- could easily create a fresh sound in contemporary local music. Arakawa's main instrument is guitar and Ikawa's the ukulele, but they can both play the other instrument and bass, too. They both sing and both write; almost everything they record is original. In short, they're a self-contained act. "Beach Party"
Kupono Kane
(Kelela)It's problematic then that the producer of their second album, keyboardist Michael Guerrero, adds on such a load of keyboards, synthetic horns, percussion and generic Jawaiian riffs that the promising duo ends up sounding pretty much like many other young Jawaiian/"island music" acts. The album should sell anyway, since the guys' earnest singing will maintain their appeal with fans of intermediate-school age who dig reggae-lite tunes and will relate to the unpolished but honest lyrics.
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No Hawaiian artist of his generation has explored broader musical vistas than Tony Conjugacion. He's done showroom stuff, played Broadway (as Tony C. Avanti) and blended Hawaiian chant with postmodern club music, but reverence for his Hawaiian musical heritage has always been a key part of his musical identity. His first full-length album was traditional, and he has returned to those roots as often as he has explored other genres. "Tony C Sings ... Na Hulu Welo
Tony C
(Family Treasures)"
(MGC)"Ka Beauty A'o Manoa," his 1986 Hoku-winning song, is among the treasures here. Most of the others are originals for or about friends and family. Those by other writers connect in one way or another. The arrangements are crisp, clean and beautifully traditionalist. Conjugacion's falsetto rendition of a medley of songs about Kona is particularly nice, but each song here is indeed a treasure to be enjoyed.
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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.
