‘Rising In Love’
Lehua Kalima
(Kalima Music)
Lehua Kalima’s solo album is a clean break with Na Leo Pilimehana.
No, Kalima has not, repeat, not, left the group, nor has Na Leo disbanded. But the presentation here is not Kalima doing what she does with Na Leo re-branded as the work of a solo artist. The most immediate difference is the vocal arrangements; she doesn’t have backup singers filling in the vocal parts that Nalani Jenkins Choy and Angie Fernandez Morales would be doing on a Na Leo recording.
What’s more, the final number, "If You Were Mine," rocks in ways the trio has yet to reach — not that Na Leo needs to rock. The group has dabbled in contemporary country music a time or two over the years, but with "If You Were Mine," Kalima has a song that would fit in nicely on contemporary country radio playlists nationwide.
Better still, it’s an original she wrote, not a remake.
From the specifics of a single song to "Rising in Love" in its entirety, this is outstanding work.
"If You Were Mine" notwithstanding, the album builds on the things Kalima has been contributing to Na Leo ever since she, Choy and Morales reunited as Na Leo Pilimehana in 1993. Her voice is as appealing and instantly recognizable as ever. It caresses the lyrics, be they romantic or mournful, expressions of love or laments for relationships gone bad. Her skill as a Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning songwriter is evident here as well.
The title song is one of her originals. It opens the album on an optimistic note, but it’s an optimism shaded with hints of wariness that come with experience and the knowledge there are times when love is not reciprocated.
"Delicate," sung sweetly and arranged to be soft and gentle, has none of those reservations. Kalima’s lyrics capture the magic of a perfect relationship — in the early days, at least. Would that such perfection could last!
Kalima taps into a darker place with "She’s Waiting." Steel guitarist Jay Dee Mannes adds poignant melodic shadings to Kalima’s story of a woman who is "waiting for the day all the pain will go away." This is another Kalima original that will speak to many people.
"Written on Your Heart" explores another side of romance. The song, co-written with guitarist Kaleo Del Sol, describes an illicit relationship ("’Cause I’m here with him and all the while you’re there"). Two other songs express a mother’s love for her children.
Kalima gets excellent support from her production team. Shawn Pimental and Michael Grande are her partners in producing the project. The two also participate as members of her studio band — Grande on keyboards, Pimental on drums and vocals. Among the others in the studio are Randy Aloya (bass), Imua Garza (electric and acoustic guitar), Michael Paulo (saxophone) and Jon Porlas (percussion).
It’s a credit to Kalima’s skill as a writer and song stylist that several songs seem likely to break out as local hits. Take "Dance Around the Sun," with its romantic lyrics and carefully crafted hooks, Kalima’s irresistible voice and Grande’s delicate melodic work on keyboards.
"If You Were Mine" may well be too "hard" for Hawaii, but it, too, shows what Kalima is capable of as a songwriter and mainstream recording artist.
Fans of her poetry will welcome the inclusion of a poster that contains the lyrics to the songs on the album. It’s a nice final touch.
www.mountainapplecompany.com/lehua
"Rising In Love"
