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Island Mele John Berger |
Local acts can overreach themselves by trying to record too many types of music. There are a couple of "stretch marks" here and there, but overall, 'Ike Pono has an album they can be proud of. The quartet harmonizes well and their instrumental arrangements are clean and traditional in style. "Ka Mano Wai"
'Ike Pono
Ohana"Ka Nani 'O Wai'anae" is a catchy original that should become their signature song. "Ka'ano'i Pua," written first in English and then translated, showcases their smooth harmonies. "Blue Darling," featuring Michael Lowe as the lead voice singing "the original lyrics" of the ever-popular tear-jerker, is also a highlight of the same caliber.
The guys are not yet adept writing English-language lyrics, but their earnest words ring true and the liner notes put each song in context (e.g., "Jumpin' Rocks" resulted from a challenge bassist Bobby Yu gave some high school students).
www.pacifichawaiian.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
"Ka Nani 'O Waianae"
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The Japanese word "issei" is usually used in Hawaii when speaking of the Japanese immigrants who came here prior to 1924, but modern immigrants, like composer Mas Kaneko, are issei, too. Kaneko teamed up with arranger Akira Komachi and two karaoke singers to produce this CD single as a tribute to the pre-World War II issei and nisei. He explains in the liner notes that he hopes the song will inspire younger listeners to likewise overcome hardships with perseverance and pride in their Japanese heritage. "Ganbarimasu"
Mas Kaneko
Self-releaseThe melody is mainstream Japanese pop and the lyrics speak of the mixed emotions felt when the search for opportunity takes you to a foreign country far from your homeland. Ai Wakasa and Kiyomi Miyaura sing separate renditions of the same song, and there are also two "minus one" versions for use by karaoke singers.
Write to:
Ganbarimasu
92-105 Elele Place
Kapolei HI 96707
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Veteran entertainer Henry Kaleialoha Allen successfully captures the ambiance of a late-'60s tourist hotel lounge show with this collection of hapa-haole standards. The opening number, "Aloha," sets the mood, a brisk and breezy original that Allen used as the intro to his own shows back in the day. "Hawaii to You"
Henry Kaleialoha Allen
RainbowThe songs that follow reinforce the album's overall nostalgic mood. The arrangements suggest the influence of vintage Waikiki acts such as the Surfers, Rene Paulo, Martin Denny, Gary Aiko and Liz Damon's Orient Express.
Allen also plays guitar, ukulele and steel guitar. Someone -- possibly guest artists George and Kapule Paoa -- adds the piano, drums, keyboard synthesized strings and other instruments that complete the arrangements. Allen's light jazz take on "Hawaiian Wedding Song" offers a smooth alternative to the standard version. An instrumental arrangement of "Blue Hawaii" is a fine showcase for his work on ukulele.
www.henrykallen.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.
