“Kalapawai Ku‘u ‘Aina Kaulana”
Chinky Mahoe
(Kailua Beach Productions)
Kumu hula Chinky Mahoe is a significant figure in contemporary hula. He is also significant as one of the major kumu hula who document their work with professionally produced albums. His first, “Kalapawai Ku‘u One Hanau,” released in 2001, documented some of the traditions of his family, hula linage and home district. His second,“Kalapawai Ku‘u ‘Aina Kaulana,” continues the process.
The album is a creative partnership with Louis “Moon” Kauakahi, founder and leader emeritus of the Makaha Sons. Kauakahi contributed several songs. Mahoe wrote most of the others. The language is Hawaiian from start to finish.
The presentation alternates between chant accompanied with traditional Hawaiian percussion and post-1778 singing with minimal instrumental accompaniment. Mahoe sings and chants, and plays ukulele and percussion; Kauakahi plays guitar and ukulele, and sings backing vocals; Eric Lee plays guitar and acoustic bass, and also sings backing vocals. That’s all that’s needed.
It cannot be said too often that complete lyrics, English translations and background information are all essential parts of any Hawaiian album. All that information is included.
Visit kailuabeachproductions-store.com.
“Years in the Breaking”
Joni Llamedo
(JL Records)
Singer-songwriter Joni Llamedo teamed up with Hawaii music industry veterans Brandon Apeles and Darrell Aquino to record her debut album.
With a squad of prominent island musicians sitting in as needed, she has solid instrumental support.
The title refers to the fact that the songs reflect the experiences of a decade, some good, some not. “Fly” is autobiographical in expressing her decision to leave Hawaii. “Sandwich Shop Blues” stands out both for the emotion in her voice and the work of the musicians around her. Others show her awareness that relationships are rarely simple and are often complicated. “Hopes Up,” the final song, describes the conundrum in enchanting terms.
With “Dance Machine,” a lighthearted up-tempo number, she morphs convincingly from balladeer to rocker.
Visit jonillamedo.com.
“Higher Light”
Ka‘imi Hanano‘eau
(Loihi)
Ka‘imi Hanano‘eau first surfaced in 2014 as the guitarist and lead vocalist of HiRiz, a reggae/rock/Jawaiian group whose debut album was a finalist in the reggae category at the 2015 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.
His four-song instrumental EP — “Ukulele What?” — is a finalist for EP of the year in this year’s Hoku Awards. With “Higher Light,” a CD single, Hanano‘eau blends elements of reggae, pop, soul and rock in delivering a message that expresses the feelings of romantic men and women alike.
“Higher Light” is available at iTunes and Amazon.com. The hard-copy CD single is available at his gigs.
