Island Mele

By John Berger

"Simply Sale"

Konishiki
All Heart Productions

This is a big year for progressive island music. O-Shen and Chief Ragga have albums out that go far beyond the limited horizons of Jawaiian/island music. Now comes the pairing of Konishiki and Fiji with an equally impressive project (Fiji produced it, did backing vocals and co-wrote eight of the album's songs).

Local remakes are rarely worth hearing, but "He Aloha Mele" is a gem. Fiji uses a catchy electro-techno beat and has Robi Kahakalau join in on vocals, along with Tapuarii on "Tahitian banjo." Veteran steel guitarist Bobby Ingano adds a fresh slice of real island music on "First Kiss," a reggae-beat original.

With "Ei Nei" and "My Blue Heaven" butted up against country and reggae-beat arrangements, Konishiki's album could be a hodgepodge but isn't. Everything meshes perfectly in a perfect portrait of the sumo legend who is also simply Sale.

Mpeg Audio Clips: He Aloha Mele First Kiss My Blue Heaven Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

"Ko'olau"

Peter Medeiros
Ti Leaf Productions

Mandolin and tiple aren't heard very often in Hawaiian music these days, so that makes Peter Medeiros' album of particular interest to anyone who appreciates traditional, grass-roots Hawaiian music. Most of the songs are Hawaiian-language standards, all nicely done, with an original or two in the same style to complete the collection. Since the liner notes don't mention other musicians, this is apparently a one-man project in which Medeiros plays slack-key guitar, ukulele, bass and accordion.

The arrangements bring to mind the classic recordings of Gabby Pahinui and the Sons of Hawaii, with maybe a hint of the early Peter Moon Band. Medeiros sings in the same style as Pahinui but without sounding like a Gabby-wannabe.

Mpeg Audio Clips: Nani Ko'olau 'Ulili E Greenrose Hula Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

"Never My Love 'A'ole La E Ku'ulei"

Larry Ramos
Paradise

Ever wonder how "Never My Love," the song that was such a big national and local hit for the Association in the summer of 1967, would sound with Hawaiian lyrics? "Uncle Tom" Moffatt has the answer with this CD-single by Larry Ramos, the Kauai-born native and longtime member of the group, with an assist from Tony "C," who translated the Addrisi brothers' lyrics into Hawaiian. Ramos also plays ukulele on the remake, with steel guitarist Gary "Ramon" Brandin adding to the Hawaiian feel.

Other tunes on the disc include "God Loves People," a peppy Up With People-style tune written by Ramos, and a straight remake of "Honolulu City Lights" by another singer, Jeffrey Foskett. (Those familiar with the latter will note that Foskett omits composer Keola Beamer's lyrical reference to lighting a cigarette. Oh well ...)

Mpeg Audio Clips: Never My Love 'A' ole La E Ku'ulei God Loves People Honolulu City Lights 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.