Island Mele John Berger

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"Kawaihae"

Kawaihae
What's Up? Music

A routine Jawaiian remake of "Volcano" opens the album on a problematic, albeit commercial, note. Still, several of the originals that follow make this young quartet worth hearing. "Falling In Love" is a simple if very moving message to a loved one that is certain to resonate with romantic-hearted listeners. "She Go" is a catchy lament about being in love with a woman "who goes out with her friends at night."

But the duo of Jeff Ferrari and Vance K are better at writing melodies than lyrics. Several songs are written in an awkward free verse style that ignores the basic concepts of rhyme or meter. The musical arrangements, however, are crisp and clean throughout. Imagine how Pure Heart could have sounded with vocal harmonies and that's where Kawaihae is going. To solidify the comparison, Pure Heart alumnus Lopaka Colón even sits in on percussion.

www.kawaihae.net

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Volcano" "She Go" "Falling in Love" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Ka 'Oi No"

Ka'u
Quiet Storm

Ka'u came out of the Big Island studios of Rick Asher Keefer in 1998 with an impressive debut album built around the soulful voice of Demetrius "Big D" Oliveria and the imaginative compositions of Greg Foxx. Foxx's originals explored both social and complicated, personal topics. The group's reworking of "(She's Got) Skillz" was a rare example of an artistically successful remake, and although Ka'u often utilized reggae rhythms, they also excelled with traditional Hawaiian songs.

Ka'u disbanded after the release of a second album, and the group's record label folded as well. Given that Oliveria's voice has a soulfulness reminiscent of Martin Pahinui or Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, it's not surprising that another label has released an anthology that could now promote the group's musical legacy to a larger market.

www.quietstorm.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Strange Fruit" "(She's Got) Skillz" "Footprints in the Sand" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Take You to the Jam"

Ho'onu'a
Feel Good Entertainment

Ho'onu'a --- Christian Yrizzary and Jared Keo -- has been a major presence in the Jawaiian music scene ever since the release of their debut album, "Feel Good Island Music," in 1998. Their follow-up, "Have A Good Time," was a big step forward, and with "Take You To The Jam," Ho'onu'a continues to move in the right direction. Island rhythm music doesn't get any better than this, and the duo is clearly well on its way to defining an original synthesis of Hawaiian, Jamaican and American pop music.

Jawaiian fans will love every track. Yrizzary, Keo and their studio musicians connect with the party songs and the love songs, as well. "No Sense" adds a light, up-tempo philosophical message to the collection.

While Sudden Rush, Oshen and "Radical Rob" Onekea add their talents as guests, Yrizzary and Keo's musicianship remain in the forefront. Count this album as one of the major island rhythm albums of the year.

www.hoonua.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "The Jam" "No Sense" "She Looks Good" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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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.