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"Andy Cummings &
His Hawaiian Serenaders"

Andy Cummings & His Hawaiian Serenaders
HanaOla

No one has done better work over the past decade reissuing classic out-of-print Hawaiian and hapa-haole recordings than Michael Cord and Harry B. Soria Jr.; their Andy Cummings anthology is another perfect collaboration. The remastering and audio restoration of these 78-rpm recordingsis excellent. Soria's 10-page liner notes booklet include a detailed account of Cummings' life, background on each song, and photos.

Cummings is best known as the composer of "Waikiki," and his 1946 recording of it is the highlight of these 17 historically significant recordings. Some display Cummings' vocal range as a falsetto singer, others show his talent as an arranger and interpreter of other writers' work. "Get Hep to Swing," another of his own tunes, captures Cummings and his all-star quintet in an uptempo groove.

www.cordinternational.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: Kawika Kaimana Hills Waikiki Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Genres"

Inoa'ole
FM

Inoa'ole has paid its dues as a dependable local bar band, and although the concept suggested by both the title and liner notes never quite jells, the septet proves itself as a solid Jawaiian band with a knack for original local-style urban and hip-hop music. Their work here finds them worthy of local radio play as well..

The group covers a variety of topics with their original songs. "Mi Afi" extols the joys of smoking marijuana, "Star Shines for an Angel" is a smooth Jawaiian love song, and "Fall Season Lover" adds a clean pop tune to the set with an earnest, albeit awkward, tale of love lost.

The group labels "Put It In" as comedic, but the song has the same lyric slant found in many Jawaiian party songs. (Maybe you had to be there!) On the other hand, two Polynesian-language songs suggest an admirable awareness of other Pacific island cultures.

www.inoaole.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: Mi Afi Fall Season Lovers What I Really Want to Do Tonight Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Christmas Without Borders"

Claire Rivero
Home Baked Entertainment

Anybody with a computer, music software and online access can call themselves a recording artist these days. Veteran recording artist Claire Rivero uses that technology on behalf of Doctors Without Borders, an international nonprofit organization that provides medical services wherever there is need.

The album is available as online downloads as well as in the familiar CD format. The title and cover art underscores her message that artificial political boundaries should not divide people.

Rivero plays original multitrack arrangements of 21 songs that range from seasonal standards to obscure tunes that are, perhaps, from distant lands, although no background information is provided. The synth-track instrumentals have more texture than Muzak or karaoke tracks and are worth considering as unobtrusive background party music.

www.hbentertain.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: Title Title Title Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info