Island Mele

By John Berger

"Journal"

Trisha Nakamoto
New Hope Pearl Community

Trisha Nakamoto first recorded as a winner in the KCCN-FM100 Pride of the Islands contest. She was one of the standouts on the "Pride of the Islands II" compilation in 1999, despite the producers' problematic arrangements of her two showcase recordings. Nakamoto's solo album here displays her talent as a singer-songwriter far more effectively and is the most impressive solo project by a contest winner to date. Her voice is still enchanting.

Nakamoto's commitment to Jesus Christ is the theme, but she avoids the labored expository style often found in other local Christian music recordings. Her lyrics are sometimes so oblique that they could be interpreted as secular love songs. Producer Dan Garcia and studio musician James Raymond share credit for the instrumental arrangements, which enhance Nakamoto's performance.

www.newhope-pearl.org

Mpeg Audio Clips: Choose Me A Gift To This World River Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

---

"Reggae Soul"

Butch Helemano
Neos Productions

Butch Helemano was releasing self-produced cassettes of original reggae music years before the dawn of the Jawaiian era. His approach was minimalist and consisted of a rudimentary melody and a basic beat. He wrote about topics from surfing to the stress of paying alimony, and for years refused to record anything he hadn't written. Helemano was one of the early stars in this genre but had too much artistic integrity to change his style as the Jawaiian sound evolved.

Helemano's first album for Neos Productions presents a new set of original songs, written and arranged in his distinctive style. Most are about relationships, but he also addresses studying one's cultural heritage. A studio band provides competent support throughout, but his rapping guests taint the purity of his work.

Write: P.O. Box 4300, Mililani, HI 96789

Mpeg Audio Clips: In The World Roots And Culture It's Alright Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

---

"Still Pounding 2:
The Best of Poi Pounder Records
Volume 2"

Various artists
Poi Pounder

Sean Na'auao has come a long way since he launched Poi Pounder Records in 1998, and an anthology documenting the label's contributions to local music would be a great calling card. This hodgepodge of songs by Na'auao, Kahiau, Three Plus, Toa and Uprising, however, isn't it. No information on the artists or the songs -- not even composers' credits -- is provided, even though there's one new song, Na'auao's catchy "So U'i." But, honestly, how many island music fans will buy an album to just get one new song when it will probably be on his next solo album?

Anyone familiar with Na'auao's work will notice that his Hoku Award-winning Hawaiian recordings aren't included. The Jawaiian crowd won't miss them, but how one of those songs could be left off a supposed "best of" album is a puzzler indeed.

www.mountainapplecompany.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: So U'i Drop, Baby Drop / Who Loves You One Draw Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

---

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. Contact John Berger at jberger@starbulletin.com.