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"Pakalolo"

T.H.C. and Friends
(THC Music)

Marijuana is as spiritually important to devout Rastafarians as communion wine is to Catholics, and few local musicians are more devout than the members of The Heartical Crew. The group calls for the herb's legalization with this album of powerful political-roots reggae. Band veterans Ises, Maakah and Drummie are the musical foundation of the project. Fiji, B.E.T., Chief Raga, Butch Helemano, Humble Soul and Marty Dread are among the friends who join them on individual songs.

The album covers topics ranging from the medical benefits of pot to the "pirates" who raid growers' crops for personal use. Other songs decry police raids, with one suggesting it may be time to strike back. An artist named Stir Crazy sums it up with "Legalize It."

While composers' credits aren't included, the title song does take a hook from Shinehead's "Gimmie No Crack," and "Pass The Kutchie" is a Jamaican classic best known for its cleaned-up version made popular by Musical Youth.

E-mail: isesiya@hotmail.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Marijuana" "Pakalolo" "Herb Pirate" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"Ka 'Ukulele Lele"

Bryan Tolentino
(Side Order Productions)

Tolentino steps forward with a beautiful album of contemporary Hawaiian music. He opens and closes as a soloist, but works with an assortment of talented sidemen on the remaining songs, as they add acoustic and electric bass, slack key guitar and even the familiar donkey noises on "Ku'u Pete."

The musicians do a great job with well-crafted arrangements of several Hawaiian standards. They also put an unconventional spin on "Ka'a Ahi Kahului" by using the "Pardon me boy ... " line from "Chattanooga Choo Choo" as the intro to Palani Vaughan's song about a Maui railroad.

The title track showcases Tolentino on a Kamaka 8-string, with only electric bass behind him. "Over the Rainbow," a solo with no overdubs or enhancements at all, is a perfect closing number.

"Ka 'Ukulele Lele" will be available starting this weekend at the Kamaka factory at 550 South St., and then in local record stores on Tuesday.

www.bryantolentino.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Mililani Morning" "How D'Ya Do" "Ka 'Ukulele Lele" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

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"A Flying Leap"

James Hill
(James Hill Enterprises)

The Canadian ukulele virtuoso, while several years younger than Jake Shimabukuro, is of comparable stature as a young master of the instrument. Hill's new album of instrumental delights is essentially a one-man project, but well worth a listen. A cellist joins him on a beautiful suite of classic melodies, with Hill playing the unobtrusive overdubbed rhythm tracks elsewhere.

The title expresses Hill's willingness to explore new ideas. The contents reaffirm his world-class command of the instrument. "Uke Talk" is a nod to his years as a member of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble. "Little Wing" and "Never on Sunday" demonstrate his insights into rock and pop material. No question about it, this album means we'll be hearing a lot more of James Hill in the future.

("A Flying Leap" is available at www.ukulelejames.com.)

www.ukulelejames.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: "Uke Talk" "Song For Cheri" "Little Wing" Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info