GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaiian music recording artist Baba B., second from right, takes time to chat and pose for a photo with fans, from left, Zachary and his brother Brandon Spencer and Kainoa Ramos-Harrington Tuesday at the Kapolei Jamba Juice.

Baba B gets
back to roots

The musician's new CD
includes a few covers

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Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.com

WITH FOUR releases under his sizable belt, local singer/songwriter Baba B has a message for his fans: He's still a big boy in love, but after getting a little too "babalicious" on his last CD, this local boy from Waianae wants everyone to know that "Phat is Back."

'Bomb Bucha 2003' Where: Waikiki Shell When: 4 to 10 p.m. tomorrow; gates open at 3 p.m. Tickets: $16 lawn seating; $19 terrace seating; $25 pool seats Call: 566-0644 or 526-4400

"I heard people been taking it pretty good," Baba B said earlier this week about the new CD that's out in stores now. "I know my music changed each album ... but I try to please them all. To the (fans) that don't want it that way, I'm sorry."

Keeping his fans happy is a top priority for this Waianae High School graduate, and Baba knew there were a few who were disappointed with his third release in 2001. While most of the tracks off 1997's "Big Boy in Love" and 1999's "Local Boy" were love songs that he had written, "Babalicious" took things in a slightly different direction with input from the Hobo House on the Hill production crew.

"'Babalicious' was more the choices of Fat Katz (his former label)," said Baba as he spent St. Patrick's Day at Pokai Bay with his girlfriend, sisters, brothers-in-law and about 20 nieces and nephews. "Me, I'm one real mellow, easygoing kind of guy."

But when Fat Katz began to drag their feet in negotiations over "Phat is Back" earlier this year, the singer knew he had to make a move. "I was thinking about recording when I was still with them, and I tried to make agreements," he said. "But we couldn't come to an agreement ... so I kinda just left and did my own thing."

DOING his "own thing" meant starting a new label, Rebel Records, with his girlfriend Misty. "(She's) just the owner and I do all the work," Baba said with a laugh. "I work alongside with Chris Carillo, Frank Sua and Daniel Baduria ... Those are my band members and they also produced the album."

While Baba got back to his slow-jam roots on "Phat is Back" -- six of the 10 cuts on the CD are original compositions -- he also made the decision to include a few covers on this album, something he had tried to stay away from in the past.

"I've been to places and they said, 'Why don't you do a song and funk it up a little bit?'" Baba said about his remakes of tracks by PM Dawn, Babyface and Bob Marley. "Everybody wanted to hear it, so we just did it."

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaiian music recording artist Baba B takes time to show the shaka sign to 3-year-old nephew Rico Rosario of Waianae. Baba B will be performing at "Bomb Bucha 2003" tomorrow.

If it turns out that people really enjoy the new album, expect to see Baba B turning into the Jay-Z of island music, churning out material as fast as he can get it recorded. "The public waits for us ... and (fans) kind of expect at least one (album) every year," he said. "I feel that the people of Hawaii deserve that. Now that I'm on my own ... I'm gonna try. I'm going back into the studio next month."

Before he can do that, however, Baba will spend some time promoting "Phat is Back," starting this weekend with a performance at Island Rhythm 98.5's "Bomb Bucha 2003" concert. For someone who spends the majority of his time playing Playstation 2 or breeding dogs at home on the Leeward side, tomorrow's concert is something Baba is definitely looking forward to.

"I am, actually," Baba said when asked if he was excited about the event. "To me, I think it's one of the most exciting concerts. ... The Bomb Bucha actually gets better each year."

ALSO performing on stage this year at "Bomb Bucha 2003" are Acoustic Soul, Aziel, Believe, B.E.T., Chris Carillo, Cross Pointe, Ho'onua, Oshen, Sani, Sudden Rush and Three Plus. Daryl Labrado will make the trip from Molokai for the concert, and Kohomua, Zack and Pi'ilani Arias will be on hand to represent Maui.

The show will also provide a rare opportunity for all the busy entertainers to catch up with each other, according to Baba. "This is pretty much the only time we get together and hang out with the other entertainers," he explained. "Everybody is so busy doing their own thing, so when this concert comes along, it's our chance to say hello. ... I look forward to talking story with all of them."

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