Provided by
Posted on: Friday, May 16, 2008
ISLAND SOUNDS
ISLAND SOUNDS
' 'Aina' shows support for Hawaiians
By Wayne Harada
" 'Aina" by Peter Apo & the Rainbow Nation Band; Mamo Records
Genre: Contemporary Hawaiian.
Distinguishing notes: Peter Apo is a prominent and eloquent steward for Hawaiian values and culture, and a periodic recording artist, multitasking his mission with an infusion of music. Here, with an ensemble dubbed The Rainbow Nation Band, Apo and crew explore a multitude of tunes that advocate support for Hawaiians who celebrate their culture and struggle to maintain their dignity as they seek sovereignty and to sustain the Hawaiian Renaissance.
The selections may be divisive, but many tunes reflect the earnest values of the composers. "E Ola Hawai'i," an oli by Kainoa Daines and Hi'ilani Shibata, is the best of the lot, reflecting commitment — much like Liko Martin's classic "Hawai'i Loa," rendered here with a bit of a pop beat. The title song, an earlier composition by Gordon Freitas, sets the tone and theme of this album. And Jon Osorio's classic "Hawaiian Soul" recalls the 1970s renaissance that might have been a trend then but now is an in-your-face and in-your-ear movement.
Robi Kahakalau provides eloquence as she guests with Apo on "Sovereignty Song," a composition by Apo and Jeff Rasmussen; yes, it's the same tune earlier adopted by Keali'i Reichel on his "Eo Mai" album. And you get a clear picture of the emergence of Hawaiian nation on "Mother Nature," laced with name-dropping.
The album is handsomely packaged with informative liner notes detailing backgrounds of all titles; the band taps many stellar musicians, and Wendell Ching's engineering is crisp and effective. Our take: Not for everyone, this one could be hailed by the sovereignty camp and activists seeking resolution to longstanding campaigns.
"Blessed Is Your Name" by Dennis James Lee; Leapfrog Productions
Genre: Christian.
Distinguishing notes: The last time Dennis James Lee was in the news here, he had co-produced and appeared in "Soap Girl," a film about massage parlor workers in Los Angeles' Korea Town. Here, he demonstrates considerable skills as singer and composer of five originals, including the title tune (the best cut) and "Sing to the Lord," both with sweeping inspiration and earnest delivery. Just heavenly stuff.
Though it's a cover, "I Will Be Here" is one of the most endearing and commercial entries, with devotional lyrics and a calming effect. And Lee's version of "Amazing Grace," the final track, is both amazing and graceful, and ranks as one of the finest in a long time.
A frisky "Mother and Child Reunion" (the Paul Simon tune) is more pop than Christian, but it fits in. Our take: A blissful journey, with blessedly good intentions — and interpretations.
"Love Is Blind" by Robbie Numa; Robbie Numa LLC
Genre: Eclectic rock and soul.
Distinguishing notes: Robbie Numa is Robin Hishinuma, 'Ewa-born Japanese rock 'n' roller now living and working in Dallas. A singer-composer-guitarist, he has flair and fury in his strokes and his dozen titles in his debut CD are described as "snapshot(s) in time" that define who he is as an artist and a person.
He projects a hip and hot persona, with alternating styles — a deliberately slow "Bar Game," with lyrics that seem to be more spoken than sung; a roller-coaster ride on "A Game Called Love" with hand-jive tempo; a medium-beat blues-infused "Love Is Blind"; a cool techno-rock item dubbed "High Maintenance Woman."
With the liner sleeve providing lyrics to Numa's creation, you get to see the poetry of his rockery without the beat — and it reveals, for the most part, a romantic at heart.
More on Numa: www.robbienuma.com.
Our take: While this is not music of Hawai'i, it is an Island son with a mission to explore the vagaries of love. Numa's the name, and remember it — he's aiming for the big time.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
|
Sample song: "E Ola Hawai'i" by Peter Apo