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Island Mele John Berger |
Dennis Kamakahi is doing imaginative things in marketing his music outside of conventional distribution networks. "Pa'ani," packaged in a light but sturdy cardboard sleeve, has been available at his concerts since May, but will only be released in stores on a limited basis in July. (Information is available at www.denniskamakahi-productions.com.) "Pa'ani"
David Kamakahi with Dennis Kamakahi
Dennis Kamakahi ProductionsKamakahi's son, David, gets top billing here and distinguishes himself on ukulele and vocals. "Celeste," co-written with Jonathan Kaawa, is a fine piece of soulful acoustic rock spiced with hidden meanings. Herb Ohta Jr. sits in for a dueling ukulele version of "Glass Ball Hula."
Dennis contributes originals in Hawaiian, Spanish and French, and adds his distinctive voice and slack key virtuosity elsewhere. This album is first-rate throughout.
denniskamakahiproductions.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
"Begin the Buguine"
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Driving rhythms, powerful buzz-saw guitar and incisive, acid-etched lyrics make "Tattoo" another noteworthy product of Hawaii's fertile rock scene. Otto (bass), Derek Hoeft (drums) and Josh86 (guitar and lead vocals) get a good full sound out of their basic punk instrumentation. They've created a fine soundtrack for a high-speed jaunt down the freeway. "Tattoo"
The 86 List
EightysixJosh86, the primary lyricist, addresses topics such as hypocrisy and youthful ennui with vivid images and frank vocabulary. "Radio" indicts the bland corporate mentality of the American airwaves and "MTV" does the same for its insipid programming.
"Punk Rock Cinderella" is about an irresponsible woman who poisons her unborn with various drugs. Other songs attack American foreign policy and challenge the listener to do something to make things better.
the86list.com
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Tongue-in-cheek humor is the thing here as Big Island resident Pat Rocco embraces 23 hapa-haole standards with a verve reminiscent of Don Tiki or the Wiki Wacki Woo Serenaders. A studio quintet joins him in reworking these Territorial Era classics into disco, calypso, urban, pop and cocktail lounge music. Randy Skaggs' various reed instruments provide a nice organic counterpoint to all the synthesizers heard here. Bruddah Kuz and Kainani Kahaunaele sit in as guest vocalists. "Rocco Rocks Hawaii"
Pat Rocco
CabinIt's clear that Rocco respects these songs. His take on "When Hilo Hattie Does the Hilo Hop" includes several lesser-known verses, and it sounds like he and Bruddah Kuz had a great time doing a bilingual version of "The Hawaiian War Chant."
A reference to "the coqui's song" adds a timely reference to "In My Coffee Shack By Kalapana Bay."
Call: (808) 965-8122
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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.
