”A’
Natalie Ai Kamauu
Natalie Ai Kamauu won the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for female vocalist with both of her previous solo albums — "’E" in 2006 and "’I" in 2009. "’A" would easily make a three-peat for her.
Kamauu sings in Hawaiian and English with the same sweet beauty while a constellation of talented musicians provides entrancing arrangements around her. There’s "Fireman’s Hula," which stands out for its glorious vitality, "Ku’u Pua Pakalana" for its aura of romantic intimacy, and "Nani Kaua’i" for the introspective delicacy she brings to it. And there’s "E Pi’i i ka Nahele," which is performed as an exquisite duet for voice and nose flute.
Add a liner notes booklet filled with lyrics, translations and background information, and this is perfect introduction to Kamauu and her music.
Take that beautiful rendition of "Hanalei Moon."
She explains in the liner notes that among all the songs she likes, the Bob Nelson classic "is my first love." She shares similar stories about almost all the other selections and adds another dimension to them by doing so.
There is a surprise as well. "Stay Gold," a relatively obscure Stevie Wonder composition, is nicely revived when she sings it as a wish for her children.
www.natalieaikamauu.com
"Hanalei Moon"
‘Over Hawai’i’
Various Artists
Mountain Apple Co.
This "official soundtrack" of the public television special featuring stunning aerial views of the islands showcases a cross section of local artists. Two of them — Keola Beamer and the Brothers Cazimero — were Grammy Award finalists in the Hawaiian music album category. The other stars in the package are Hoku Award winners Nathan Aweau ("The Wonderful World of Aloha"), Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole ("Grandchild") and the original Hapa duo of Barry Flanagan and Keli’i Kaneali’i ("He’eia"). Hawaiian falsetto vocalist Leokane Prior earns his place on the album with a beautiful rendition of "Hana No ka Oi."
Beamer’s instrumental arrangement of "Kaulana na Pua" adds an excellent example of slack key to the project.
Other traditions are represented with "Give a Lei," recorded by the Hawaiian Style Band after founding member Merri Lake McGarry left the group, and "Joy Flow" from an obscure album by Maui resident Anthony Natividad.
While producers of the album do a fine job overall with their musical choices, their failure to include composer credits is a blot on the project. Some people might not know, for example, that Henry Kapono Ka’aihue wrote "Home in the Islands" or that "The Sound of Sea Surrounds Me" is, in fact, a medley that incorporates the title song of the 1963 Hollywood film "Diamond Head."
www.mountainapplecompany.com
"Kaulana Na Pua"
