“FAB4ON4STRINGS”
Beat-lele (Beat-lele Music)
Beat-lele started out as a standard faux-fab four quartet but a shared interest in the ukulele resulted in their replacing the standard Beatles instruments with ukuleles and cajon (a box-shaped percussion instrument). Still committed to the Beatles’ repertoire and iconic vocal arrangements, Beat-lele members have refined and sharpened their instrumental experiment with each recording project. This one is a delightful success. It includes tracks recorded “live” in Liverpool as well as studio recordings.
They open their studio set with early Beatles material — “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and “P.S. I Love You” — and then go much deeper with a set list that includes “Taxman,” “Come Together” and “Octopus’s Garden.” A musical journey through the final songs on “Abbey Road” is nicely done indeed.
The “live” recordings were made during Beat-lele’s 2017 performance at The Cavern Club Liverpool, where the Beatles got their start. Performing live – without studio technology – is the acid test for any entertainer. Beat-lele passes the test with ease. It wonderful to hear them pull it off so well.
Two other things are worth mentioning. Beat-lele adds Hawaiian lyrics to “Golden Slumbers” in their studio recording, but they stuck to the original lyrics, right down to Ringo’s cue, “Alright, George!” when they did ”Boys” at the Cavern.
Visit beat-lele.com.
“MAUI MAGIC”
Asian Blend (Asian Blend Productions)
Asian Blend traces its roots back to 1972 when founder/leader Mitch Hazama was attending University of Hawaii-Manoa. With the addition of Jay Molina (bass/lead vocals) in 1974 Asian Blend became full-time headliners in Waikiki’s vibrant nightclub scene — most notably at the Foxy Lady Too in the Waikiki Beachcomber. Hazama and Molina have been foundation of Asian Blend ever since. The band is based on Maui but has been a welcome participant at Robin Kimura’s ’70s Nightclub Reunion shows.
One thing Asian Blend never got around to doing in the ’70s or ’80s was making a record like some of their Waikiki nightclub colleagues – Sweet Marie, Union Pacific, Wild Honey, Aura and Greenwood, to name five.
Now that day has come. “Maui Magic” is a complete full-length CD that displays the group’s talent as songwriters as well as their ability to reinterpret the hits of other artists.
Most of the originals are substantial light pop songs inspired by life on the Valley Isle, The title song pairs nicely with two others, “Song of Love 4-U” and “Island Dream,” in sharing the group’s love for Maui. So does, “Old Lahaina,” but it name checks so many attractions that the song sounds like an commercial for the popular tourist destination; it should be the theme of an ad campaign.
“A Song For Mom And Dad” is completely different. It is a requiem that speaks for anyone who is mourning the death of a parent.
Asian Blend’s arrangements of “Have I Told You Lately” and “That’s The Way She Feels About You” are professionally close to the original hits by Rod Stewart and Three Dog Night, but guitarist Dave Ray Toma adds a strong rock edge to their version of “I Shot The Sheriff.” Ron Kualaau sings lead as the group pays homage to the late Billy Kaui with “Pretty Girl.”
Asian Blend is celebrating with a CD release party Friday at the Ala Moana Hotel. Pre-sale tickets are $40 and include a copy of the CD. For tickets or to buy a CD call Toni Ogasawara, 281-4655 or email mmprod@gmail.com.
