“Let’s Go”
Moostr
(no label, no serial number)
Moostr is multitalented Imua Garza, his wife, Tiffa Cruz Garza, with Alika “Boy” Kalauli IV (bass and vocals) and Seann Carroll (drums). The Garzas are the creative core of the project — they wrote all the songs, they both sing and he plays guitar — but Kalauli and Carroll are much more than sidemen.
Given Imua Garza’s reach as a musician/producer, it isn’t surprising the CD covers an expansive range of styles and textures. Diverse though they are, the songs all fit together. Imua sings with an engaging boyish charm; he is 32 but sounds at least 10 years younger. Tiffa sets the bar high as the lead voice on her spotlight number. The lyrical confession “My past is screaming ugly things” is one of the many memorable lyric twists that await discovery in this impressive collaboration.
Contact imuagarza@gmail.com.
“Little People EP”
Ron Artis II & the Truth
(no label, no serial number)
Ron Artis II continues his rise through the island music scene with this nine-song CD EP. Artis, who plays guitar and sings, gets support from three of his siblings — Stevon (drums), Spirit (backing vocals) and PraiseJesus (backing vocals) — and Riley Pa‘akaula (bass).
The vibe throughout is “organic,” as in “close to the roots” of the R&B music of the 1960s. The lyrics are introspective but describe universal feelings. With only three instruments, the arrangements are sparse but rich. Most are on the blues end of Artis’ musical spectrum.
He cranks up the volume and displays his command of 1960s-style electric blues-rock with “The Pit” and “Set Me Free.”
No doubt about it, Artis is a force to be reckoned with.
Visit ronartisii.com.
“Time to Play”
Jocelyn Michelle
(Chicken Coup CCP 7024)
The Hammond B3 organ and its companion Leslie speaker cabinet is a big “old school” instrument most often associated here in Hawaii with rock organist Boom Gaspar. The size and weight of the B3 and the Leslie made them problematic for club gigs in the days before synthesizers, and they’re almost never seen here these days. That makes this debut album by Big Island jazz organist Jocelyn Michelle a rare item on the island record scene.
Michelle gets solid work from her studio musicians as she explores genres. Her remake of “The Pink Panther Theme” catches the ear on first listen, and she and her musicians capture the soul sound of the early 1970s with their arrangement of Marvin Gaye’s “Trouble Man.”
Michelle delves into soul, jazz and bossa nova. “The Loss,” spotlighting vocalist Regina Leonard Smyth, closes the CD with a stirring shot of gospel music.
Visit jocelynmichellejazzband.com.
