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"Revelations"

Michael Chock
(Sugartown)

Chock played Top 40 music as a member of Greenwood back in the 1970s, but makes his debut here as a singer/songwriter with this album of Christian music. Almost all of the songs are originals, in some cases, Chock wrote new melodies for existing lyrics. He also played acoustic guitar and trombone, as well as doing most of the singing. Co-producer Aaron Aranita provides the reeds, winds, bass, percussion and synth strings.

Most locally written Christian music puts "the Word" ahead of rhyme, rhythm and meter, so it's of primary interest to other members of the congregation. Some of Chock's writing is of this kind, and Aranita's arrangements are sometimes more than his synthesizers are capable of, but the two come up with some interesting ideas. For instance, reworking "Amazing Grace" as jazz and setting the familiar lyrics to a new melody pays off amazingly well.

Aranita also blends acoustic instruments and synthesizers on the uptempo "Give Thanks."

www.hawaiianjazz.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Call To Worship" "Amazing Grace" "Where Were You" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Cherished Memories"

Lyle
(Self-release)

Honolulu attorney Lyle Hosoda teamed up with David Kauahikaua to do this album as a gift to his family and to fill the void he experienced as his daughters were growing up and going their own ways. While you would expect that the Hosoda ohana would find this of great interest, don't dismiss this album as a vanity project. Hosoda can sing, and he and Kauahikaua maintain production values that exceed those found in some commercially released local albums.

Hosoda has eclectic tastes. He opens with the "Doxology," does "Koko Ni Sachi Ari" for his kupuna, and is consistently good with island standards. "Could I Have This Dance" was the song he intended to sing for his wife at their wedding; that story and many others, along with family photos, are found in the CD booklet.

One man's memories will certainly speak to many here in Hawaii.

www.hosodalaw.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Doxology" "Aloha Kaua'i" "Koko Ni Sachi Ari" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Slowjam Sessions"
Volume One

Various artists
(Rhythm Drive)

Jordan Segundo, Forté and Tani Lynn Fujimoto represent Hawaii is this aptly named light-pop anthology. Anyone who's missed Forté since Marlene, Jo, Kay and Gee went their separate ways will find several other acts here with pretty much the same sound. (The bio information provided on them here, however, is years out of date.)

Adventurous listeners will discover performers from New York, Michigan and California whose styles mesh perfectly with the light-pop of the Hawaii stars. The roster includes several interchangeable girl groups and solo female vocalists, two male vocal groups and an androgynous-sounding male.

One of the best songs is "Girl of My Dreams," an original by New York's J Cabrera that could easily be a hit here.

www.rhythmdrive.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Hello My Love" "Girl In My Dreams" "So In Love" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info