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Island Mele John Berger |
George Kahumoku's new album comes with the endorsement of George Winston, who produced several of Kahumoku's albums for his nationally distributed Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters series. This particular album, while for Daniel Ho's Los Angeles-based record label, is produced to similar high standards. Kahumoku sings and plays beautiful nahenahe (sweet, melodious) arrangements of contemporary hula standards that include "Pua Hone" and "Puamana." Ho adds some unobtrusive support on ukulele. "Classic Hawaiian Hulas Vol. 1"
George Kahumoku Jr. and Daniel Ho
Daniel Ho CreationsThe experience of listening to Kahumoku's ki hoalu (slack key) is enhanced by the information provided on the tunings he uses and the significance of the songs.
www.kahumoku.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
"Pua Hone"
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Kumu hula Charles Ka'upu makes the richness of the Hawaiian culture he loves easily accessible. While a booklet is included, there is extensive English narration throughout the album, so that people not fluent in our native language can still enjoy the music. "Ke Aka - Reflections:
Charles Ka'upu
Past, Present, Future"
Quiet StormKa'upu starts with chants representing his hula lineage. Next come a series of chants that tell of the arrival of Pele and her relatives, and the romantic triangle involving Pele, her sister and Lohi'au. Another series honors the ali'i of old, Kamehameha in particular.
Ka'upu acknowledges the impact of Western influences with a beautiful rendition of "Waika," featuring guests Nathan Aweau and Barry Flanagan. A new song, "Higher," suggests a continued evolution by presenting chant performed in an electronic setting.
www.quietstorm.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
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Most Jawaiian acts that open their debut albums with a remake of a pop hit usually don't have much going on in the way of musicianship or originality. Malino, however, is an exception. Producer/ "Always Be Mine"
Malino
Mistaharranger Sam Ellis' Jawaiianized version of "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" isn't even recognizable as the Journey hit until lead vocalist Vince Saures starts singing. Saures lacks the emotional intensity Steve Perry gave the 1979 original, but the arrangement, featuring "Pride of the Islands" contest winner Derick Sebastian on ukulele, has a sophistication rarely found in such remakes.
Ellis and his quintet do good work elsewhere. Saures' voice has a youthful vulnerability that should connect with local girls' hearts. He and bassist Rodrigo Casio Jr. contribute several serviceable Jawaiian originals. Ellis' "Molokai Moon" stands out as a beautiful account of unrequited love, and "Manuo'o" shows Malino can harmonize nicely on Hawaiian standards.
www.mistahrecords.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info
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.
