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"Off Air"

Big Teeze
Tiki Entertainment

Big Teeze always merits respect for being one of the very few local artists of any genre who has had a release make any of the six major Billboard charts. Teeze did it back in 1998, and with "Off Air," he reaffirms his place as one of Hawaii's all-time top hip-hop artists. Imagination and honesty are key ingredients to his sound.

While Teeze plays the romantic on some tracks and a hardcore "dogg" on others, he also puts out the message that a hard-knock childhood is no excuse for failure as an adult. "Walk Tall" teaches that a positive attitude in life is an important foundation for success. With "Dirty Waianae," he encourages his neighbors to take pride being from the Leeward area.

An unaccredited interpolation of Cecilio & Kapono's "Lifetime Party" is the melodic hook on Teeze's "Island Lady." There is a uniquely humorous take on "Inseparable," and "Da Yard" adds a touch of Hawaiiana.

www.tikientertainment.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Island Lady" "Inseparable" "Sad 2 Know" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"The Steve Jones Collective Vol. 1"

Steve Jones
Collective Wood Music

Jazz bassist Steve Jones is showcasing a new artist and introduces the first of a planned series of albums with the debut of his own group. Jones takes top billing as the leader, with drummers Darryl Pellegrini and Noel Okimoto trading off as the other half of the rhythm section (Pellegrini plays on seven cuts, Okimoto on four). Jakob Koller, a guy with great credits elsewhere but is relatively unknown in Hawaii, is featured on piano. Koller proves well worth hearing, and both versions of Jones' trio are solid throughout.

The emphasis is on original melodies, with Koller contributing four and Jones two, but several standards are nicely interpreted as well. What's more, Jones is also the producer of the sessions, and he gives the trio ample time to explore the possibilities of each selection.

www.wireandwoodmusic.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Dreamsville" "I Hear A Rhapsody" "Smocrian" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Your Love"

Christina Youngs
The Mountain Apple Co.

One of karaoke contest winner Christina Youngs' prizes included a recording session with producer Jon de Mello and The Mountain Apple Company, and this professionally packaged two-song CD single is the result.

While there's nothing complicated here, the quality is considerably higher in all respects than some recordings from previous contest winners.

The title track is a contemporary Christian ballad written by her father. Youngs makes it her own with support from arranger Sean Thibadeaux on guitar and bass, and James Ganeko adding percussion. An a capella rendition of "Silent Night," sung in both Hawaiian and English by Youngs and her sister, Michelle, ensures perennial seasonal appeal as well.

Youngs has a sweet voice, and local Christian radio should already be getting behind "Your Love," but this CD single is also a fine calling card should she wish to record again.

www.mountainapplecompany.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Your Love" "Silent Night" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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