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Posted on: Friday, September 5, 2008
ISLAND SOUNDS
Fiji moves into an eclectic mode
By Wayne Harada
"Indigenous Life" by Fiji; Indigenous Alliance
Genre: World music.
Distinguishing notes: Fiji's latest is a bold cultural journey, criss-crossing his interests and idiosyncracies — meaning his disc is hard to categorize — as he taps anything and everything from Fijian chant to kanaka maoli, Jamaican tempos, Polynesian rhythms and classic blues. The trek starts in a native groove with "Tou Mai Laveta," a traditional Fijian chant, and includes a "Warrior Call" for unity among Melanesians, Fijians, Polynesians, Hawaiians, Tahitians, even Australians.
"Indigenous Life" verbalizes concerns about the fate of his birthplace foundations, rendered in roots reggae rhythms. "Move On" is more progressive, with a blues undercurrent; "Hey Girl," featuring Siaosi, is a rock-tempoed love song in Fijian; "Let's Get It On," spotlighting J. Boogs, has a silky Motown manner; and, for a change of pace, "Taulaga A Solomana" is a sweet and tender Samoan ballad, with slack-key support from Jeff Rasmussen, supported by a wondrous chorus — one of the CD's best tracks. Our take: Fiji is all over the musical map in this aural adventure of diverse styles and sounds.
"Altar Native" Millicent Cummings; Millicent Cummings Records
Genre: World music.
Distinguishing notes: On this CD, Cummings shares her interpretations of voyages through the Islands.
The titles tell the tale: "Maui Wowie," "City of Refuge," "Moloka'i Blues" and "Lana'i" are told with eloquence and sensitivity. "Ponoville" is as earnest as it gets here, plain and simple.
Recorded live at a September 2007 performance at Hawai'i Public Radio's Atherton Performing Arts Studio, this release is blessed by ki ho'alu accompaniment by Cindy Combs on "Forbidden Isle," a paean to Ni'ihau. Our take: Cummings could be goin' places ... if she gets exposure and support.
"The Trio" by Maggie Herron and The Trio; no label
Genre: Jazz.
Distinguishing notes: Maggie Herron fronts a trio that lives and performs on the Big Island. The combo features Herron on vocals and keyboards, Paul Lindbergh on tenor sax and flute and Danny Steiner on drums. She also does a jazz radio show on Sundays on the Big Isle and was a "Homegrown" winner-singer in the 1970s and '80s, eventually working with locals such as Cecilio & Kapono, opening shows for Dave Brubeck, Richie Havens and Taj Mahal.
Herron imposes her jazz-flavored stance on such classics as "Blowin' in the Wind," "Over the Rainbow" and "Autumn Leaves," and renders "Body and Soul," "All or Nothing at All" and "Things Could be Better" with soulful endearment.
Our take: Appeal may be regional (if you see and hear Herron, you'll easily enjoy her CD), but jazz purists will find the musicality appealing.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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Sample song: "Tou Mai Laveta (Fijian traditional chant)" by Fiji