Aloha mai!California was on my mind this month, as three California-produced Hawaiian music CDs were brought to my attention. No need to snub Mainland-bred music, as I'll discuss more in the recordings section.
And speaking of California, Hawaii musicians begin their spring treks all over the Mainland! See the concerts lists below for Hawaiian music in California ... Oregon ... Washington ... Arizona ... and even Indiana!
The Brothers Cazimero have a regular gig! I've fielded email requests over the years since they stopped their regular gigs, first at the Royal Hawaiian and then at Bishop Museum. I'm happy to report that they have found a regular home at Don Ho's Island Grill at the Aloha Tower Marketplace in Honolulu, where they have two shows on Saturdays at 7:45 and 9:45 p.m.
Recordings
Ka Ehu Kai, Where the Tides Lead(K.E.K. Productions TL1035) You like backyard jams? If you do, you'll like the two CDs from California-based group Ka Ehu Kai. Where The Tides Lead is actually their second CD, but as I like the first better [g] I'll preview the later one first. These groups have the cheery insouciance that marks a really good backyard jam, and have a catchy way with classics such as "Na Ka Pueo" and "Keawe'ike" while also doing a good job on original material like "Iwalani" and "Makana of Love." They do a couple of reggae numbers, but no one's perfect. [g] My biggest quibble with the CD is that a better master was needed: at least on my copy, several of the songs, especially "Iwalani," are marred by having been recorded at too high a volume for the mikes so that the louder portions of the song are blurred.
Ka Ehu Kai, Cool Breeze of Aloha(K.E.K. Productions 1034) More fun from da guys of Ka Ehu Kai. I liked the song choices a little better on this one than the first, and the master was in better shape on this one, so I prefer this over the second CD. Lots of excitement, good musicianship, and a generally fun CD. I even almost like the reggae number, and I usually hate 'em. One odd thing is that the last number, "'Ohana," sounds eerily like a number from Robert Kekaula's last CD that Charles Memminger (of Star Bulletin humor column fame) co-wrote, called, I believe "Local Boy in Las Vegas." I have no idea which song came first, but anyone familiar with the latter will find him/herself singing Charles' words to the Ka Ehu Kai song.
Patrick Landeza, Pu'unaue ("to share") (Pu'unaue Productions PPPCD 1201). This is a very nicely done first-time ki ho'alu (slack key) and vocal CD, with the majority of songs original numbers. The ki ho'alu is generally well handled, except that some numbers are marred by distinctly loud and distracting string notice, most noticeably on "Kaimanu." There is a sweet violin/slack key duet on "Kaula'ili" and nice work on original slack key numbers "Monorail Slack Key" and "Nintendo Hula," which features a catchy country twang. Other songs include "Wai O Ke Aniani" (one of the few covers), "Slack Key Dream," "Here with You," "Dad's Song," and the title track.
See you in early April- a hui hou!
--Susan
susanj@lava.net
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