Posted on: Saturday, August 18, 2001
Island Sounds
Junior Maile is 'Voice' of past, present
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
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"THE VOICE" by Junior Maile, Noteworthy Records, NWR 2004
Junior Maile is a Samoan-Tongan singer born in Florida to Hawai'i-reared parents (Maati and Tisa Maile), who has earned the nickname "The Voice" from the producer of his debut CD, Michael Paulo.
His influences, from small-kid time, have been artists such as Boys II Men and Brian McKnight.
This background jumps front-and-center in this collection, which is rich in original compositions ("Only My Island Girl," "On This Day," "The Voice") and resourceful adaptations (Lionel Ritchie's "Stuck on You," Smokey Robinson's "Ooh Baby Baby," Kui Lee's "Days of My Youth"). There's also a nod to his heritage in "Samoa Matalasi."
Maile's age is reflected in the periodic raps inserted in some of his tunes (example: a layer of hip-hop in "Ooh Baby Baby"). He's fresh, with commercial appeal possible beyond Island shores; he's been mentored well, now awaiting a shoulder tap from Lady Luck.
"Only My Island Girl" by Junior Maile from "The Voice." Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.
"LADY OF THE MOUNTAIN" by Lei'ohu Ryder, Ululoa UL 102
Lei'ohu Ryder is a Maui-based singer, composer, Hawaiiana authority on things cultural and spiritual and a recording artist whose fourth CD exhibits her previous grace and eloquence.
All tunes are in Hawaiian and the CD comes with invaluable liner lyrics (but no translations), with brief summations that give insight to the tones and themes of each song. The minimal introductions provide a framework to what ticks in her heart: "No Liliha," a spiritual journey into 'Iao Valley; "Ka'ula," a little island near Ni'ihau that gives welcome to birds; "Mahilani," a mele inoa (name song), paying homage to Auntie Mahilani Poepoe; "Wailua Nui," an observation about the beauty of the spot en route to Hana.
Her spirituality is particularly strong on the haunting "He Ali'i O Moloka'i," a gentle and evocative tribute to Chief Kamalalawalu. And her sense of 'ohana shines on the reflective "Kaha'i Ke Alaula," composed as a lullaby for her sister's first born.
"No Liliha" by Lei'ohu Ryder from "Lady of the Mountain." Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.
"KAMAKELE" by "Bulla" Kailiwai, Hula Records CDHS-616
"Bulla" Kailiwai is a Kona resident who won the 1997 Clyde "Kindy" Sproat Storytelling and Falsetto Contest on the Big Island.
His CD debut exhibits his contagious, powerful falsetto tones in the stellar company of top-notch Island musicians including Greg Sardinha on steel guitar, Raymond Kane and Michael Lowe on slack-key guitar, Matt Manewa and Dwight Kanae on guitar, Kehau Tamure on upright bass and "Baba" Alimoot on electric bass.
The voice is the magnet here, in a compilation of tunes not widely performed. Some are his originals or collaborations ("Honu," "Keolalaulani," "Ku'u Pua O Ke Aumoe"), others are vintage tunes revived with gusto ("Hula O Makee," "Mahalo E Hilo Hanakahi").
Kailiwai certainly is one to watch.
"Honu" by "Bulla" Kailiwai from "Kamakele." Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.
