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Island Mele John Berger |
While the popularity of karaoke singing in Hawaii has drastically reduced opportunities for professional entertainers, it's brought success to the "Hawaii Stars" TV karaoke contest. A low-budget album, "Hawaii Stars Special Edition," showcased 12 participants back in 1995. This CD single gives contestant Troy Lazaro his shot as a recording artist. "Hawaii Stars Presents Troy Lazaro"
Troy Lazaro
The Mountain Apple Co.Lazaro shows promise as a balladeer, but with two remakes that fall short of previous versions. "Come Become Hawaii" is a languid ballad that meanders interminably without ever achieving the vitality the Brothers Cazimero brought to the original in '86. "In This Life" makes for a worse choice -- it's so well known as Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "N Dis Life" that doing a similar treatment seems either an act of hubris or, perhaps, just another example of the impact of karaoke in Hawaii.
www.mountainapplecompany.com
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"Come Become Hawaii"
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Justice Moon and Pablo Kulcha made a great first impression in 2001 with an album of progressive political rap and reggae-beat club mixes. Moon's solo album proves he's equally adept with mainstream hip-hop and rap. No question about it, Moon is worthy of national radio play. "Moonshine"
Justice Moon
Control EnterprisesA key element is his skill at suggesting the ambience of such icons as LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes and Chingy without sounding like an impersonator or wannabe. Insider references such as "rocking the mic like Jim Leahy (sic)" give his work hometown hooks. Other references to anthrax attacks or the Sultan of Brunei, for example, are accessible to all.
"U Call 2 Me" shows his softer side with an ode to a beautiful Latina. "Guess Who's Comin' 2 Dinner" features Smax and Chief Ragga on a crime-doesn't-pay saga that's saturated with profanity.
www.lauzizionarts.com
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Mixed Nutz step forward with an album of garage-band originals that become more interesting with repeated play. The spare rock arrangements are credited to the entire group of JD Eakins (bass), Roydn Hisatake (lead guitar), Troy Schmidt (rhythm guitar), "Billy the Kid" Tott (drums), and vocalists Tiffany Kidwell and Lionel Woodward. "Here to Stay"
Mixed Nutz
Mixed NutzBad relationships is the album's theme. "Here to Stay" is about overstaying your welcome in a failed romance. "Love and Marriage" describes the desire to get out of a marriage without killing your spouse. "Choke" expresses the bitter hope that an ex will "learn how it feels to be weak." Memorable phrases, such as a description of love being "stolen like a teen's virginity," add interesting images.
Kidwell, who is heard on only a few songs, is an underutilized asset. Her voice would have added depth elsewhere.
www.mixednutzrock.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.
