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Island Mele John Berger |
Tim "Papa T" Troxell and a team of studio musicians do most of the essential work on this fresh-faced Jawaiian vocal quartet's debut album. "T" is the main rapper on the project, and the hired musicians do good backup work. Give Pohaku credit for not doing any slavish remakes, but the composers aren't identified and so can't be given their due for providing these solid island rhythm songs. "Friends Forever"
Pohaku
RBM (PM001)The up-tempo songs have a crisp and pleasant vibe, thanks to the musicians, and the slow songs have an earnest sweetness (the unknown lead singer's slight lisp has a vulnerability that could win the hearts of teenage girls). But "Friends Forever" is flavor-of-the-month stuff, even by the standards of Jawaiian music, but bands have had hits with less.
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You're the One for Me
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Local music scene veteran Buck Rodgers steps out from the B.E.T. horn section to introduce the group he formed with his sons Jai and Danny. The album is currently a limited-edition work in progress, recorded with four of his friends. All but one song is original. Some have an unpretentious Jawaiian garage band sound, while others are rough-hewn, honest rock. "Livin in Hawaii"
Buckz Boyz
Buck Rodgers Entertainment (No serial number)The simple, upbeat title song is getting local radio play. Danny sings lead on several songs in a style reminiscent of Hanson during that act's heyday.
His best number is an odd, slow-rocking version of Troy Fernandez's "Surf" that captures the soul of the original, right down to its interpolation of "Teenager in Love." It's odd to hear Danny brag about hanging with the Kaiser Surf Crew, but the raw spirit of the performance catches the ear and makes this a potential hit.
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It was 20 years ago that Na Leo Pilimehana won KIKI's "Brown Bags to Stardom" talent contest and sparked a raging controversy with the title song. Some listeners found the opening lyrics, "Blue eyes and blond hair don't thrill me," divisive, while others defended them with a predictable "Why don't you go back where you came from?" "Local Boys"
Na Leo Pilimehana
NLP Music (NLPCD3016)Who knew that the trio would enjoy its initial 15 minutes of fame, break up and then reunite in 1993 to become the top female vocal group in local music?
The album was originally re-released on CD in a cheap form several years ago by the trio's original label, but Na Leo's new version on their own is the one to buy. It includes vintage photos, song lyrics, group history and two newly recorded bonus tracks with ties to the old days. It's a perfect commemoration and, yes, "Local Boys" still resonates!
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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.
