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"Kupaianaha"

Kupaianaha
Puana

The first impression of Kupaianaha is that producer Pat Cockett's trio is following in the footsteps of the Brothers Cazimero. But when they switch from Hawaiian to English and sing " ... Uncle Sam, you took our gods and then you took our land" in the middle of "Kaua I Ka Hauhau'i," it's clear that he and his partners Manulele Dudoit and Pancho Graham have plenty of originality. While many of the arrangements are in the style of the Cazimeros (not that that's bad), when Dudoit joins the men on vocals, Kupaianaha has a sound of its own.

Cockett's children, Patricia and Keao, are featured on several songs. A percussionist, steel guitarist, and horn section also sit in on various tracks, but never overwhelm the voices.

A localized version of "Comes Love" is one of the album's biggest gambles, but the juxtaposition of Hawaiian lyrics and a horn section works well. Other experiments also pay off as well.

Extensive annotation helps make this album a successful venture.

Mpeg Audio Clips: "E Ho Mai" "Love Me Too" "Comes Love" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Roots Rock Reggae"

Various artists
Hawaiian Express

Producer-promoter Jason James Miller is promising that a large portion of the proceeds from this project being released in stores Tuesday will go to Jack Johnson's Kokua Hawaii Foundation, so we'll cut him some slack on the lack of information on the 20 groups collected on this compilation, and just enjoy this welcome cross-section of contemporary island rock, reggae, punk and ska.

There are eight previously unreleased songs and also a live track that Chris Murray and members of Go Jimmy Go recorded while on tour.

The diversity of the local alternative scene is well represented. Pimpbot contributes a touch of humor with "Phat Fish," Suspicious Minds tells a tale of street life with "Chinatown," and Mixed Nutz ponders the uncertainties of love on "Here to Stay." Chandelle brings a strong female voice to the collection, and Kupa'aina's use of Hawaiian lyrics should be a challenge for Jawaiian acts to do the same.

Go Jimmy Go, Pepper, Ooklah the Moc and Mr. Orange Undercover add other noteworthy tracks in this clunker-free collection.

www.hwnexp.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Rock Steady" "Take What You Want" "Listening" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Shaka Island"

Various artists
Neos Productions

The whimsical cover suggests that this might be an anthology of children's songs.

Not!

Even though Marty Dread's "Mouse In the House" is from a children's album, most of the other songs have nothing to do with kids, and so this particular "island" is home to just another low-budget, recycling project.

Many of the selections are formulaic Jawaiian / reggae-lite stuff, but Sean Na'auao's catchy hit "Fish and Poi" remains an enjoyable milestone in contemporary local music. Norm's autobiographical "Hawaiian Born," and "Hele on Down to Hawaii Nei" by Heart and Soul, are also highlights.

Tony Solis bewails missing footwear with "Rubber Slipper," John Feary offers a parody of "Lahaina" with "Palolo," and Troy Fernandez teams up with Florent Atem for an ambitious reworking of "Wipeout."

www.neosproductions.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Mouse In The House" "Rubber Slipper" "What Am I Gonna Do" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info