“My ‘Ukulele World”
Herb Ohta Jr.
(Lele Music Productions)
Herb Ohta Jr. celebrated 25 years as a professional musician in 2015. It’s been a productive quarter-century with 10 solo albums, 12 more recorded as duet projects and guest appearances on many more, and in 2011, a Hoku Award for best instrumental album.
With “My Ukulele World” Ohta builds on that solid foundation with commendable success. Ohta and studio veteran DJ Pratt share the credit as producers. A short list of friends contribute on various selections.
Ohta has always been known for precision, whether picking or strumming. “Haleakala Sunset” is a beautiful demonstration of what a solo instrument can do. Ohta’s solo arrangement of “Sanoe” is also nicely played. Other selections show the breadth of his repertoire. Hawaiian and hapa haole melodies predominate, but there are also four original compositions and one contributed by two Japanese friends.
The most ambitious selection is Ohta’s instrumental arrangement of “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You,” recorded first by George Benson in 1984 and then by Glenn Medeiros in 1987. It is a fine alternative to the vocal versions.
Ohta has never been known as a singer, but he does a nice job on the mic with “‘Ulupalakua.” Jon Yamasato provides backing vocals on that one, while Halehaku Seabury and producer-guitarist Pratt sit in on others.
Visit lelemusicproductions.com
“Lava Flow”
Jr Volcano Choy
(no label)
Hawaii probably remembers him as Junior Choy, and a review by a mainland writer who knew he was from Hawaii spawned the nickname “Volcano.” Waikiki nightlife veterans may recall him working with Jimmy Borges and Betty Loo Taylor at Trappers, but for much of his career he was based in Pittsburgh. By either name, the trumpeter born Delano Choy Jr. is a player Hawaii can be proud to claim as island-born and, once again, a Hawaii resident.
This album, released in ‘15, is his debut as a headliner. Trumpet is his instrument, but he also sings in English, Spanish and Hawaiian.
Choy and his horn are smooth and romantic on “Delirio,” darker and more ominous on “Man With the Horn.” The latter would be perfect for late-night dancing cheek-to-cheek in a club like Trappers. In dramatic contrast, there’s “Lava Flow (Original Rendition).” Choy and his musicians go full force, initially as a unit and then breaking out for solos. They are a tight unit.
The biggest leap in terms of imagination is a medley that blends “Wahine ‘Ilikea” with an unidentified Spanish song. Fitting the late Dennis Kamakahi’s Hawaiian lyrics into a haole (non-Hawaiian) musical setting is a worthy experiment. Gordon Broad has recorded Hawaiian-language jazz and Henry Kapono has created Hawaiian-language rock. Choy starts off well musically with his jazzy take on “Wahine ‘Ilikea,” but going off on two lengthy Spanish tangents is a bad idea. Better to do two separate songs.
Visit volcanochoy.com
