"Motherland"
Keale
(Rhythm & Roots)
A dramatic arrangement of "Hi‘ilawe," closer to a Mexican corrido (folk song) than the traditional music of Hawaii, is the biggest surprise on this new album by Keale. Violin and accordion are as prominent as Keale’s ukulele, and there’s not even a hint of a hula rhythm.
"Kamamakakaua," a song honoring the Hawaiians who attempted to reverse the infamous "Bayonet Constitution" in 1889, is done in the same corrido style and with the same striking effect. The bold and unconventional arrangements represent a blending of Mexican traditions with Hawaiian, something that might have been if the paniolo who came to Hawaii in the 1830s had stayed here.
Keale’s deep commitment to his Hawaiian heritage is heard in other songs. He opens the album with one of his Hawaiian compositions, "Pula Kau Maka," and does justice to the works of other Hawaiian composers with "Manu Kapalulu" and "Pupu o Niihau."
Keale and his DAMNative musicians adopt and adapt some non-Hawaiian music, too. The title track is Keale’s take on Natalie Merchant. A Merle Haggard tune fits in nicely, too.
"Motherland" is available at www.kealemusic.com.
"Reunion"
Amy & Willie K
(Island Soul Entertainment)
Ten years after their last concert tour, 15 after their last studio recordings together, Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliom and Willie K are back.
"Reunion" is a career milestone for both of them. It is also an amazing demonstration of their range as songwriters.
Willie K has talked about wanting to go beyond the "hula-skirt barriers." He and Gilliom accomplish that mission with the first song, "Hawaiian Man." Written by Gilliom for her collaborator as a sequel to "Spirits in the Wind," it is a hard-rock anthem of Hawaiian pride, nationalism and defiance.
"Helele‘i ka Ua" and "Pillow Talk Hula" define two edges of Gilliom’s broad repertoire. The first has Hawaiian lyrics and a sophisticated mainstream pop arrangement; the second takes her back to her days as a "chalangalang" Hawaiian falsetto singer.
With other newly written songs the duo delves into gospel ("Down by the River"), mariachi lite ("Tequila Senorita"), country rock ("Never Got Over You") and powerful political rock ("Who’s Got the Water").
Set aside the fact that this is the first Amy & Willie K album in 15 years. The quality of every song on it — the vocals, the arrangements, the production values — makes "Reunion" one of this year’s best local albums.
For more information, go to www.amyandwillie.com.
"Ku‘u ‘Aina Aloha"
Kawika Kahiapo
(Pono)
Kawika Kahiapo has had parallel careers in recent years as a member of the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning quartet Kaukahi and as a solo slack-key guitarist. His first solo album in more than a decade emphasizes his strength as a solo vocalist, albeit one who is also an accomplished ki hoalu guitarist.
Two originals speak of his love of his home district. "Waimanalo" sets heartfelt lyrics to a soothing melody sweetened by Greg Sardinha’s steel guitar. "Kaulana Makapu‘u" expresses similar sentiments in describing the winds, mists and scenic places of the area.
All is not well in Hawaii, however. Kahiapo addresses current concerns with "MotherEarth," an original that states unequivocably, "GMO has got to go."
Turning to other artists’ work, Kahiapo personalizes Jerry Santos’ "O Malia" in compelling style. Remakes of two Top 40 hits — "Southern Cross" and "Dream a Little Dream of Me" — take him beyond the music of Hawaii and show his talent as an arranger.
Hawaiian or pop, originals or oldies, Kahiapo’s smooth, well-worn voice and ki hoalu expertise knits them together into a cohesive set.
"Ku‘u ‘Aina Aloha" is available at www.kawikakahiapo.net.
"Island View"
Ozzie Kotani
(Ozzie Kotani)
George Winston included Ozzie Kotani in his monumental "Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters" series in the 1990s. "Island View" is a welcome reminder of Kotani’s importance to the evolution and perpetuation of slack key.
Island standards ("Hawai‘i Pono‘i" and Hawai‘i Aloha") are played with respect and insight. Originals display Kotani’s talent as a composer.
"Ke Aloha ‘Aina," recorded as a duet with ukulele virtuoso Gordon Mark, is noteworthy as a meticulous musical summit between two masters of their instruments.
Kotani bends the format of this instrumental album with the title song — it is the only one with lyrics. Vocalist Joy Waikoloa and electric keyboardist Aron Nelson join him in delivering the lyric message that Hawaii is a beautiful place. The shorter "Island View (Radio Version)" would be a great theme for the next Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau ad campaign.
Information on the songs, including the slack-key tunings Kotani uses to play them, is available at www.ozziekotani.com.
