”;The White Bathtub”;

Kenneth Makuakane
(Makuakane Music Corporation)

Kenneth Makuakane has been most visible in recent years as a producer, using his talents as a musician, arranger and songwriter on behalf of other local artists. “;Bathtub”; is a welcome return to the performer's spotlight that displays both his imagination as a composer and his talent as a modern Hawaiian recording artist.

There is more here that is rock and pop rather than Hawaiian, and most of the songs are sung in English, but many have a hapa-haole feel in describing life here.

Makuakane makes some interesting instrumental choices. The basic drums/bass/acoustic guitar arrangements will sound familiar, but mandolin, for instance, isn't often heard in local music these days. He makes imaginative use of other instruments, as well.

Makuakane's ear as an arranger can be appreciated in the stark contrast between “;I Know”; and “;You Move Me.”; Both are about being deeply in love, but the arrangement of the first suggests underlying uncertainty about the situation, while the second evokes the contentment found in a secure relationship.

Two songs stand out for other reasons. “;Sandcrabs With Suntans”; is a whimsical song about a group of crustaceans who take over a beach (listen closely and the “;crabs”; are actually guys looking for women). “;Shame On You People”; is a powerful indictment of the developers and politicians who have allowed so much of Hawaii to be overbuilt in the decades since statehood: “;The high-rise you said was for everyone's sake/But all I can see is another mistake.”;

www.makuakanemusic.com

”;These Dreams”;
”;With A Hula Girl”;
”;Shame On You People”;

”;Welcome to the Cityside”;

Cityside
(DDD)

Cityside—Kekoa Onaga, D. Kekoa Tsukiyama and Devin Yamada—makes a promising debut with the assistance of local hip-hop pioneer Duane Oyama of Club Rox Rock fame, studio wizard Dr. Trey and a squad of studio musicians.

'Ukulele, percussion and acoustic guitar give the trio's Jawaiian repertoire a solid local foundation. The catchy riffs and rhythms of the first two songs suffice to position Cityside as commercially viable newcomers to the scene.

Two songs show that Cityside can also score as a local acoustic pop act.

Tsukiyama, the trio's resident song writer, must be a huge Journey fan because the melody of Journey's 1981 hit, “;Don't Stop Believin',”; is instantly recognizable as the instrumental riff he uses in “;Make You Mine.”;

www.pacifichawaiian.com

”;Welcome To The CitySide”;
”;Baby I’m A Leavin’ You”;
”;Make You Mine”;

”;Somewhere”;

Danny Carvalho
(Lava Rock)

A decade or so ago, Makana was Hawaii's hot young slack-key artist. Now it's Danny Carvalho's turn to establish himself. Carvalho is still in his teens, but his work here suggests that he, too, is at the threshold of a long and artistically productive career.

Carvalho applies the unique sound of slack key to an assortment of island favorites and pop hits. “;Bridge Over Troubled Waters”; lends itself particularly well. The big surprise is a Malagasy melody, but for those familiar with the history of Hawaiian music outside Hawaii, the choice makes sense.

Solo performance is the best way to appreciate slack key, and that makes this album perfect for enjoying the subtleties of his technique. Carvalho includes the tunings used for each song and cultural information, as well.

There haven't been many solo slack-key albums since Dancing Cat went on hiatus. “;Somewhere”; is a welcome addition to the list.

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”;Kanaka Waiwai”;
”;Bridge Over Troubled Water”;
”;Sangisangy”;