“Then & Now”
Ua
(Tihati Productions)
Although Kale Chang has been known in recent years as a record producer and mentor of younger artists, he also has important credits as a recording artist. He founded Reign — a multinational Polynesian vocal quintet — in 2001 to show Hawaii the commonalities shared by the musical traditions of Hawaii, Samoa and black America. Reign made beautiful music in several languages, and although the group didn’t last past its first recordings, three of its members — Chang, Afatia Thompson and Kuhio Yim — carried on and formed this spinoff group, Ua.
Ua specialized in three-part vocal arrangements of Hawaiian and hapa haole standards — “Haole Hula,” “Nani Kaua‘i” and “Ku‘u Pua i Paoakalani,” to name three. The group’s first and only album, “Then & Now,” was released in 2003 and is now out of print. This “anniversary edition” reissues the album, adding two new tracks, both of them medleys. The songs are presented in a slightly different order.
Taken strictly as music for an audience thoroughly versed in traditional Hawaiian music, “Then & Now” is delightful. The trio’s members accompany themselves on ukulele, acoustic guitar and bass.
Chang writes that the decision to reissue “Then & Now” as a physical CD as well as downloads was an afterthought and that only a limited number are available in hard copy at Tihati Productions (735-0292). No lyrics or composers’ credits are included, but the trio’s newly recorded “Waikiki Medley” is musical magic.
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“E Walea”
Kalani Pe‘a
(Kalani Pe‘a Music)
This debut album by Kalani Pe‘a, born on the Big Island, currently living on Maui, is the latest to show that the traditions of modern Hawaiian music are alive and in good hands for the future. From the first brisk bars of “He Lei Aloha — No Hilo,” one of the seven original Hawaiian-language songs he wrote or co-wrote, Pe‘a honors these traditions and brings them forward beautifully.
Those outside the Hawaiian-language community will be intrigued by his remakes of two pop hits: “You Are So Beautiful” and “Always and Forever.” Pe‘a adds Hawaiian lyrics to both. Nohelani Cypriano pioneered this type of thing with her bilingual recording of ‘You Are So Beautiful” more than 30 years ago; this too has become a tradition.
“Ku‘u Poli‘ahu,” equating his mother to the snow goddess, has an exquisite beauty that transcends the language barrier for those who don’t speak Hawaiian.
Hawaiian lyrics and English translations are essential parts of a Hawaiian recording, especially when songs are being presented for the first time. Pe‘a provides them. Bravo!
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