"Na Mele Kupuna"
Clyde Halema'uma'u Sproat
Pololu Productions
Thank goodness someone recorded Clyde "Kindy" Sproat's concerts at the Honolulu Academy of Arts back in 1993! This is the second album to come out of those performances, and it is every bit as good as the first. A lifelong singer, Sproat is also an accomplished storyteller, and in keeping with both traditions, he introduces several songs with stories that share their history and reveal some of the kaona (hidden meanings). Thus we learn, for example, that "Hula O Makee" describes both a shipwreck and a problematic sexual encounter. The CD booklet provides song lyrics, translations and extensive background information on the songs, Sproat and his family.
Sproat has the natural well-worn voice of a veteran Hawaiian troubadour who can slip into a smooth falsetto, and he sings as his kupuna taught him.
Hawaiian albums don't come better than this.
hularecords.com
"We Are Ohana -- Songs of Hope"
Hawai'i Island Recording Artists
Perryscope
Howard Shapiro and Gregg Perry wanted to do something about substance abuse on the Big Island, so they wrote songs with positive themes, and invited other Big Island artists to join them in creating this album. Perry is the primary producer, arranger and studio musician, but there are enough other artists involved to give each song distinct textures. There's a wide range of musical genres represented as well.
Perry shares credit with Keola and Nona Beamer for an extended version of Keola's early-1970s slack key recording of "Kaulana Na Pua." James McWhinney exemplifies the postive theme as feaured vocalist on a rock 'rap song, "Hawaiian Spirit." So does writer/recording artist Iopa Maunakea with his reggae contribution, "Hawaiian Soljah." The aptly titled "Hope" closes the album with another powerful message.
pecktunes.com
"Silence"
Toa
Vaihi Entertainment
Christmas in its purest form is about the birth of Jesus Christ, and although this album is about Jesus rather than the holiday that bears his name, it is a timely reminder of the reason for the season. The five Alaiasa brothers express their faith with a mixed bag of earnest originals and covers, with Donny and Norris Alaiasa contributing five songs between them. Norris also wrote "Introlude," a spoken-word track that explains the significance of the album's title.
Norris and Donny did the vocal arrangements as well, and they wisely chose to emphasize the group's tight five-part harmonies. There are a few live instruments in the mix, and some synth stuff is used to good effect as well, but nothing overshadows the brothers' voices or the message they share with their listeners.
toaproductions.com
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.
