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Island Mele John Berger |
"Offshore"
Sam Keli'iho'omalu
Hula RecordsSam Keli'iho'omalu won the Aloha Festivals Frank B. Shaner Falsetto Contest in 1998 and released an excellent debut album the next year. His long-awaited second album is a fine step forward. Keli'iho'omalu applies his beautiful falsetto to an extensive collection of songs that includes island standards, originals and some relatively obscure personal favorites.
Keli'iho'omalu distinguishes himself as an arranger as well. No synthesized tracks taint the classic Hawaiian and hapa-haole melodies, and the use of an accordion adds a fresh and unusual ambience to several selections. Hula implements accent the rhythm of others.
" 'Alewa Hula" is Keli'iho'omalu's response to the Bishop Estate trustee scandal. He explains in the liner notes that despite the traditions of kaona (hidden meanings), one of his other originals is really only about a lei and not also about a person, as might be expected.
Hula Records
Mpeg Audio Clips:
"Ka'i Malie Ia'u"
"Ululani"
Richard Ho'opi'i
The Mountain Apple Co.Richard Ho'opi'i has been one-half of a duo act with his brother Sol for so long that it's hard to imagine him recording solo or with another partner. That's the case, however, with this new album, as he goes solo, as well as shares the vocal spotlight with his wife, Ululani. The result is a glorious debut for a new Ho'opi'i singing duo and an album certain to delight falsetto fans. Producer J.W. Junker gets "Uncle Richard" some primo backup musicians to help on the album, using the talents of Bobby Ingano (steel guitar), Led Kaapana (guitar) and Chris Kamaka (acoustic bass).
There are also some true solo numbers in which Ho'opi'i sings falsetto and accompanies himself on ukulele. "Malihini Hula," R. Alex Anderson's parody of hapa-haole songs, features his lower-register singing voice as well. Junker's informative liner notes complete this perfect musical portrait with background information on Ho'opi'i and his music.
Mountain Apple Company
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"The Hits (1993-2003)"
Marty Dread
Four CornersMarty Dread has been a significant figure in the Maui reggae scene for the past decade, and this collection is well worth consideration by anyone who is now discovering him as a recording artist and apostle of Rastafarianism (the religion that is the foundation of true reggae). The selections range from testaments of Dread's religious faith to songs about women, Sonny Garcia, and the frustration of having a busted "slippah."
Long-time Dread fans will note that some tracks are remixes or previously unreleased versions of his hits. Dread's uninspired Jawaiian remake of "Just Another Day in Paradise" remains generic, but his reworking of "Walking in Memphis" to Kingston, Jamaica still resonates as a solid alternative to the original.
Dread's originals show his range as a writer, and the eight songs listed as new releases give fans ample reason to buy "The Hits" as well.
Marty Dread
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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.
