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Island Mele John Berger |
"Think of Me"
Pati Pati made good with his first album, and his producers, the Whodunnits, took no chances with his second. "Think of Me" has a similar mix of Jawaiian songs -- perfect for local consumption -- and others that emphasize Pati's strength as an urban-style crooner with national potential. There's also an untranslated Samoan song that shows respect for his heritage. The Whodunnits' arrangements are tight throughout.
Rukkus EntertainmentThe Whodunnits are competent composers, but a generic Jawaiian remake of "Kiss and Say Goodbye" will likely be the song that gets local radio play. "Donna," "Earth Angel" and "Dedicated to the One I Love" are among the oldies used in a slow-jam medley that, while beautifully sung, is problematic if this album is intended for national exposure.
"Shoutro" is an apparently unrehearsed piece in which Pati gives props to his family, Samoa recording artist Aziel and all the Samoans "doing positive things," which reveals a positive side of Pati as well.
www.rukkusentertainment.com
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Why Don't We
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"A Place Called Hawaii 2"
Various artists HanaOla Records honcho Michael Cord struck gold last year when he teamed up with online radio personality Aloha Joe to release a compilation album titled "A Place Called Hawaii." The album hit big and was certainly helped by its play on Aloha Joe's Internet radio show. This newly released follow-up should do just as well.
HanaOlaThe 21 selections are a hodgepodge of hits, rarities, obscure filler songs and a new recording or two. Gabby Pahinui's "How D'Ya Do" and "On a Little Street in Singapore" by the Peter Moon Band are two standout picks. The list of artists is equally eclectic. Some are true stars (Dennis Pavao, Melveen Leed, Moe Keale); others are known to few outside their personal fans.
As compilations go, this is a winner. Almost every song is worth consideration, and Joe's erudite liner notes explain their significance to this collection.
www.cordinternational.com
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"Ho'olohe"
Martin Pahinui
Dancing CatMartin Pahinui has been known for years as an expressive singer and bass player, but his first solo album for George Winston's label showcases him instead as a slack-key guitarist and is a perfect portrait of Pahinui and his music. It's everything a Hawaiian music fan could ask for.
Start with the selections -- most are Hawaiian-language songs that Pahinui grew up with. "C-A-T, Popoki Spells Cat," the one notable exception, is a fun hapa-haole song that adds levity to the album.
The arrangements are clean and organic. Pahinui shares the instrumental spotlight with slack-key master George Kuo. Aaron Mahi completes the core trio on electric bass, with Bobby Ingano (steel guitar) and Winston (piano) sitting in on a song or two.
Winston and fellow annotator J.W. Junker round out this "must buy" album with an in-depth account of Pahinui's career and technical notes of each slack-key arrangement.
www.dancingcat.com
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See the Columnists section for some past reviews.
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.
