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Island Mele John Berger |
This is the album that should establish Ryder as a major new talent in Hawaiian music. It's not that her previous albums weren't as good, but this one leaves no doubt that it's time she gets the radio play and recognition she deserves. It's everything a Hawaiian album should be. "E Ho'i Mai Ke Aloha Hou -- Love Returns"
Lei'ohu Ryder
Ululoa ProductionsRyder sings sweetly and without flashy artifice -- a couple of sustained notes on "Kaulana No O Maui" is enough to show her vocal capabilities. Her voice caresses the lyrics as she sings of family, friends and special places. The beauty of the music is enhanced by its acoustic arrangements. Among the studio musicians, a cellist adds darker tones on several songs, while ipu, mandolin and autoharp embellish others.
Most of the songs are originals, but Ryder also includes nahenahe (sweet, melodious) renditions of "Hawaiian Soul," "From a Dancer" and "Songbird," each one touching on the album's overall theme of love's return.
www.leiohuryder.com
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"He Mele No Ku'uipo"
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Vocalists Scott Baird and Sam Green make up the imaginative songwriting team behind this expansive 21-song album from the Maui-based band. Crazy Fingers includes a horn section and a total of five vocalists, so there's a good organic, old school sound to the arrangements, with plenty of vocal variety. "Island Girls"
Crazy Fingers
Crazy Fingers MusicThe basic vibe is reggae, but the more substantive kind rather than the usual lame, imitative stuff. Some songs address ecological issues, while others share the music's inherent Rastafarian philosophy.
But Crazy Fingers isn't all just reggae -- originally-written rock, rap and pop tunes attest to the band's wider musical range. Several interspersed skits are reminiscent of Cheech & Chong or Digital Underground. An uncredited interpolation of the "Gilligan's Island" theme adds a familiar reference point to "She Is the One."
www.crazyfingersmaui.com
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Handsome Danny Couch was already a veteran musician when he joined the Aliis in 1981, but it was during his time as an Alii that he first hit as a recording artist. That's the era represented in the "then" half of the title of his new album. But it can't be called a greatest hits collection, because he's redone his songs from the '80s and his biggest, all-time hit, "These Islands," isn't even included. Regardless, it's a fine retrospective. "Then & Now"
Danny Couch
Danny Couch RecordsCouch has long been known for high tenor and falsetto vocal range, his soft romantic style, and his preference for airy synth-based pop arrangements. Most of the selections stick to that proven formula -- "Waikiki" is particularly nice -- and his voice is as sweet as ever. "Brown Eyes," "Hakuna Matata (A'ole Pilikia)" and his calypso-style anthem "I Love Hawaii," all show that he also enjoys heartier, uptempo material.
A lengthy "Phantom of the Opera" medley closes the album in a memorable style.
www.dannycouch.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.
