Makana marks a quarter-century of island slack-key guitar stylings

"Twenty Five"
Makana
(Makana Music)

Mono-monickered guitarist Makana celebrates 25 years playing Hawaiian slack key with a double-CD album that also displays his broader musical horizons. The first disc is titled "Raw," the second is "Root." "Raw" shows his range as an acoustic pop/rock composer, vocalist, pianist and interpreter of other writers’ work. "Root" is predominately Hawaiian and hapa haole.

"Raw" is the bigger surprise. Who knew this master of slack key had such range as a vocalist? The first song, "Sexy Lady," sets the mood and draws listeners into Makana’s voyage of musical exploration. There are some catchy lyrics to enjoy in the songs that follow.

In "Manic" he dryly describes himself as a "bipolar manic obsessive romantic" in search of a "hard sarcastic nymphomaniac who can relate." Several songs later, in "Life Is a Lonely Road," he offers a sympathetic ear to a "pretty girl who’s crying" but suggests for all the good it’ll do "you might be better off getting stoned." The cynical, introspective tone is certain to resonate with many listeners.

"Root" is a journey back to his early days as a student of Sonny Chillingworth and "Uncle Bobby" Moderow, and a celebration of Hawaiian music in general. It opens with a beautiful slack-key instrumental, "Pau Pilikia," and continues with an assortment of island classics. "‘Ahulili" and "Pauoa Liko ka Lehua" are two of several that show his strength singing in Hawaiian.

He closes with "Seabird," originally a hit for Olomana in the 1970s. That island classic brings his musical journey to a soothing conclusion.

"Twenty Five" is available at Makana’s gigs. For more information go to www.makanamusic.com.

"Live Again"
Aidan James
(Aidan James Music)

It’s almost inevitable that no matter how much raw talent they possess, child stars start their careers fueled in large part by "cute." Shirley Temple, Bruno Mars, Janel Parrish and Allison Chu are perfect examples. At some point as they get older, "cute" fades and from then on they have to make it on talent. Some do, some don’t.

There was a tremendous amount of "cute" in effect when Aidan James surfaced several years ago as a precocious ukulele player. Aidan is now 13, and his debut EP shows that "cute" is no longer needed. He sings as convincingly as he plays. All four songs show he can write as well.

He teams up with Yoza on "See You Again," a boy-sees-girl song that males of almost any age can relate to. The song’s catchy acoustic arrangement, strong instrumental hook and romantic harmonies also make it memorable. Yes, under normal circumstances a 13-year-old wouldn’t be meeting women "at the club," but young entertainers like Aidan have that opportunity.

"You Should Let Go" shows that he does well fronting a rock band. The title track comes next and takes him into Jack Johnson territory. The fourth song, "One of the Ones," is the oldest. It sounds a bit dated because Aidan’s voice is a bit deeper now than when he recorded it. Perhaps he will revisit it a few years from now.

For more information go to www.aidanjamesmusic808.com.

"Suenan Mis Timbales"
Rolando Sanchez & Salsa Hawaii
(RSC Music Hawaii)

When Nicaraguan-born Rolando Sanchez came here from San Francisco in 1986, there was a vibrant old-style Puerto Rican music scene that was pretty much kept within the tightknit local community. Sanchez envisioned modern Latin music as something people of all ethnic groups could relate to. He formed Salsa Hawaii, promoted salsa and other genres to Hawaii in general, and connected big time.

Sanchez is now celebrating a quarter-century as a Hawaii-based Latin recording artist with a unique release. Officially it’s a single with nine bonus tracks. The bonus tracks comes from previous Salsa Hawaii albums.

The title song is a recording of a live performance that showcases Sanchez’s talent on timbales and his distinctive voice. No translations or background information are provided, but nightlife veterans who remember the days when charismatic Lin Brown was singing with the group will recognize her voice on a song or two.

The new song is available as a single at CD Baby. Get the album at www.rolandosanchez-salsahawaii.com.

"Are You In"
HiRiz
(HiRiz Music)

Reggae, rock, Jawaiian and the blues are blended in various proportions as HiRiz — Ka‘imi Hanano‘eau (lead guitar/lead vocals), Shannon Tanudra (rhythm guitar/lead vocals), Kainoa Ah Chong (drums/backing vocals) and Steven Keola (drums/backing vocals) — debuts with this economically packaged CD. The quartet can play and sing, no question about that. Composers’ credits are not provided but with one obvious exception the songs sound like originals.

"Are You In" opens the album with the group’s reggae/rock mix at full force. With a song titled "Love Drug" the quartet shows its appreciation for blues rock. "Ra Jah" describes a local party with "red eyes, green green bottles and Red Stripes … secondhand smoke are making me high and dazed."

The quartet’s knack as imaginative arrangers is evident with the songs that are arranged as suites of musically distinct segments.

"Girl from Haleiwa," a bright change of pace amid all the rock and reggae, is the 1964 bossa nova hit, "The Girl from Ipanema," with a few minor changes in the lyrics.

For more information go to www.hirizmusic.com.

"Memories of Old Hawaii"
Kathy Paulo
(Apaulo)

Although her brother, Michael Paulo, is the most prolific recording artist of the six Paulo siblings, Kathy Paulo has recording credits going back to 1980. Her latest studio project is a creative partnership with brother Michael and Japanese executive producer Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi.

Territorial Era Hawaiian and hapa haole music are at least as popular in Japan as in Hawaii, and the 12 songs here include some of the biggest hits of the era. Paulo and her musicians perform most of them in traditional style.

Two stand out as exceptions. "I’ll Weave a Lei of Stars" is arranged in a soothing pop-influenced style with brother Michael guesting on flute. "Pupu Hinu Hinu" closes the album on a similar contemporary note.

Moku Young joins her for romantic duets on "E Maliu Mai" and "Ke Kali Nei Au." Young also performs as the solo vocalist on "Waikiki" and "Beyond the Reef."

Hawaii music old-timers will recognize the inside tray photo as the cover photo from her 1980 album, "Fall in Love with … Kathy Paulo."

"Memories of Old Hawaii" is available at her gigs and will be available on CD Baby.