Island Mele John Berger

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"Hawaiian Tangos, Hulas & Blues"

Ken Emerson & Friends
HanaOla

Ken Emerson has been a leader in reviving interest in early 20th century Hawaiian and hapa-haole music for almost 30 years. His new collaboration with executive producer Michael Cord, the leader in restoring and reissuing vintage Hawaiian recordings, is a judicious mix of musical genres, instrumentation and guest artists. Detailed annotation covers everything from Emerson's musical biography to the history of the Hawaiian, Latin, hapa-haole and blues tunes he chose for the project.

Emerson presides on assorted guitars, steel guitars, ukulele, and cuatro, plus the occasional vocal. Cindy Combs, Michaelle Edwards, Dave Jenkins and Todd Rundgren are among the friends who sit in. Darlene Ahuna takes the vocal on "Kalamaula."

"Sitting on Top of the World" and "The Third Man Theme" make for two memorable surprises amid the Hawaiian and hapa-haole selections.

corninternational.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Roselani" "Sitting On Top Of The World" "Wahine Ilikea" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"End the Cycle"

Black Square
Sound House

Jawaiian acts sometimes sing about wanting to "reggae down Babylon" or resist the "downpressor system," but Black Square, a quartet that plays reggae and rock with equal verve and finesse, goes beyondshallow sloganeering. Guitarist-singer-songwriter Josh 86 has a few songs here with apolitical slacker themes, but most address political issues and the problematic impact of America's new world order.

"Tomorrow's War" points out that, to the people on the receiving end of U.S.-launched bombs, we are the terrorists of the world. Several other songs charge that American foreign policy is driven more by corporate imperialism than any concern for the freedom of Afghans or Iraqis.

The rhythm section of Nick Danger and Brian Kim provides a solid foundation. Johnny Boto adds occasional embellishments on trumpet.

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Mpeg Audio Clips: "Lift Your Feet" "No More War" "Tomorrow's War" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Legacy of Pornography"

The Miltons
MOFO

Island rock doesn't get much more underground than on the latest CD single from the Miltons. The trio is even more aggressive and less melodic than on their 2002 broadside, "four songs for three bucks with ... CENSORED," but the results can still be described as music rather than out-and-out noise.

Ray The Gay In Dismay creates your basic buzz saw guitar riffs that serve as sonic filler while Noel The She-Male lays down thunderous bass lines and roars out the lyrics. Stan The Indonesian Man adds frenetic energy on drums.

The selections include three studio recordings and two "live joints" of similar rawness and about the same technical quality. The Miltons' quirky sense of humor -- the CD is dedicated to "all the HO'z who make us perverts tick" -- but anyone in the mood for crude, hard-core rock will find that this fearless trio delivers.

The CD is available at the band's Web site at www.miltons.org.

miltons.org

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Gary Heidnik" "Trim Ya Bush" "4SK8" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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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.