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Island Mele John Berger |
Rodney Keahi uses a bit of basic kaona (hidden meaning) in taking Rod Da Fire as his street name, but no knowledge of Hawaiian is needed to appreciate his capabilities as a songwriter and recording artist. His vocal style suggests a lot of time spent listening to Ziggy Marley, Big Mountain and Shaggy. His lyrics indicate a sharp mind and a keen eye, whether the subject is beautiful women or social injustice. All in all, Rod Da Fire seems destined for a long run in the forefront of the Jawaiian scene. "Rod Da Fire"
Rod Da Fire
Dominant RhythmGuest rappers Bishop, Dezman, Drew and Pharaoh Pipi add an urban edge to the songs each co-wrote with Rod. "Should've Known" is an engaging first person account of the life and death of a star-crossed gangsta. "Ching Ching" is an equally impressive ode to an unforgettable woman. Overall, there's no filler on this solid album.
dominantrhythm.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
"Hear My Plea"
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Russell Mauga was the first member of Ho'aikane to quit the group after they renounced slack key and reinvented themselves as a Jawaiian act. The content of his new album suggests that his departure wasn't over artistic issues since "Here I Am" is full of the same type of generic remakes Ho'aikane was perpetrating when he left. Don "King Don 1" Ke'ala Kawa'auhau of Sudden Rush and Jamin "Chief Ragga" Wong add a strong, soulful edge in places, but much of this is what Sudden Rush has previously dismissed as "same old beat, same old skank, same old music." "Here I Am"
Russell RJ Mauga
Kalo Music Enterprises"Natives," a bright, new local reggae song by Ernelle Cruz, is a fine exception and gives Mauga a chance to distinguish himself with fresh material. "Be My Lady," written by studio guitarist Fernando Garcia, shows that Mauga can also deliver a romantic ballad, and "Let Me Hear You Whisper" adds a Tahitian/Samoan flavor.
kalomusic.com
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Cellist Sandy Norton adds a memorably fresh quality to this pleasant album by Big Island slack key guitarist Donald Kauli'a. Cello is rarely heard on slack key albums and the two acoustic instruments complement each other nicely. "Slack Key ... In the Key of Aloha"
Donald Kauli'a
Grass ShackThat's not to say that Kauli'a couldn't have done the album by himself. Fact is, he also sings and plays several instruments. A free-flowing overdubbed arrangement of "Holo Holo Ka'a" is, overall, his best vocal number. The title song is an earnest tribute to slack key but suffers from awkwardly written lyrics. "Saddle Road Slack," "Opihi Moe Moe" and "Napo'opo'o Shuffle" all show what he can do on guitar, with the latter including his opening comment that he "made 'em up" on the way to the studio.
Most of the other songs are also originals, but, unfortunately, Kauli'a shares no information about the people and events that inspired them.
kaulia.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.
