NLP MUSIC Na Leo still in perfect harmony, offering one of the year's best recordings.

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Old and new
artists made
local top 10

Brothers Cazimero are also
up for a Grammy in 2005

Despite the impact of illegal downloading, file sharing, and CD-burning in 2004, Hawaii-based musicians and their record labels released more than 200 new titles in genres ranging from traditional Hawaiian to progressive rock. Here, in alphabetical order by artist and without regard to genre are the 10 that best embody the ideals of talent, imagination, creativity, production values, artwork and annotation.

» Brothers Cazimero: "Some Call It Aloha ... Don't Tell" (Mountain Apple Co.): The tight-knit duo displays their talents as solo voices and songwriters in this perfect showcase. A majority of the selections are originals, but the brothers pay homage to past renditions of several Hawaiian standards. They also look back at their Sunday Manoa days with a fresh recording of "Hawaiian Rainbow." This disc will be up for a Hawaiian Grammy in February.

» Kawaikapuokalani Hewett: "Mo'o'olelo" (Makuakane Music Corp.): Sharing cultural knowledge from one generation to the next is the theme of this collection of songs and chants that express Hewett's responsibilities as the link between his ancestors and grandchildren. Hewett has never sounded more spiritual, the musical arrangements enhance the impact of his voice, and the liner notes make this knowledge available to those who don't speak fluent Hawaiian.

» Daniel Ho: "Simple As a Sunrise" (Daniel Ho Creations): Ho's career-best album displays his insights as a writer/composer, versatility as a musician and acoustic pop arranger, and his awareness of packaging and production values as well.

» Kimo Alama Keaulana and Lei Hulu: "Hula Lives!" (Mele Nani): Keaulana's meticulously crafted collection of Hawaiian and hapa-haole standards such as "Henehene Ko 'Aka" and "Laupahoehoe Hula" will serve as benchmarks by which to appraise efforts of younger artists. Keaulana's unwavering commitment to preserving traditional 20th century Hawaiian music is underscored by the wealth of cultural information he provides in the liner notes. The music is exquisite.

» Kupa'aina: "Simple Island People" (Kototama Productions): Kupa'aina introduced itself in August with an album reflecting Hawaii's cultural diversity while avoiding pop remakes or faux-Jamaican posing. Some selections evoke ancient Hawaiian images while others address modern nationalist issues. "Eo Mana Maoli" stands out because of its Hawaiian lyrics and reggae rhythms. Other tracks show Kupa'aina playing slack key and singing Hawaiian falsetto.

» Moemoea: "Moemoelutionary Music" (Quiet Storm): Moemoea calls its music "moemoelutionism" which suggests the influence of Arrested Development, Fishbone and Gil Scott-Heron, as well as mainstream reggae, ska and rock. All in all, this is one of the most impressive debut albums by a local band in a decade.

» Na Leo: "Find Harmony" (NLP Music): Na Leo's memorable reworking of "Blackbird," a collaboration with arranger Matt Catingub, is the trio's biggest creative step forward, but this album contains many musical delights. the women do a beautiful job tapping their hapa-haole roots with "Jungle Rain," and although Lehua Kalima Heine wrote "In Your Smile" for her infant son, the song expresses feelings lovers can relate to. Bottom line? Na Leo still reigns as Hawaii's top "girl group."

» O-Shen: "Rising Son" (Sharpnote): O-Shen's third album reaffirms his place as an innovator with an ear for basic commercial rhythms and a knack for insightful multi-lingual lyrics. With "Rising Son," he shares elements of Rastafari philosophy, encourages political awareness, and warms listeners to look beyond ethnic stereotypes.

» Various: "Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Contest Winners Vol. V" (Hula): Hula Records cut no corners showcasing winners of 2003 Clyde "Kindy" Storytelling and Falsetto Contest, the Frank B. Shaner Hawaiian Falsetto Contest, and Maui's Richard Ho'opi'i Leo Ki'eki'e Contest. Arranger William "Baba" Alimoot leads several studio musicians in providing solid instrumental support but never overshadows the voices of Matthew Sproat (Big Island), Imipono Cabrinha (Oahu) and Kamaka Fernandez (Maui). This is a "must buy" for falsetto fans.

» Various: "Territorial Airwaves" (HanaOla): Harry B. Soria Jr. produced this anthology to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his "Territorial Airwaves" radio show, and from the opening montage of radio clips to the final song, it is a marvelous cross-section of classic Hawaiian and hapa-haole music, and is a family archive as well. A 16-page liner notes booklet gives detailed information on the recordings, artists and the Soria family's 70-year involvement with island radio.