Island Sounds
Imua reflects on happier times with third album
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
"Next Generation" by Imua: Imua's third album continues a tradition of mirroring tastes and lifestyles in Hawai'i. This time, Dave Dunaway and Albert "Baba" Akiona, the one-two punch if the duo (which used to be a trio) takes a somewhat reflective posture, looking at the happier things in life, with a mission of hope and promise for the future.
"Moonlight Surfing" has splashes of memories of nocturnal wave-riding. And "Koa Canoe" surely is a paddler's delight-to-be.
But Dunaway's title song, calling for a halt to discrimination and support of education, has a lingering appeal with a sensible message for mankind, particularly for Hawai'i's melting pot environment.
The most commercial track is the opening one, "Do You Believe in Love," a Dunaway composition that relates the promise of love at first sight, delivered by Imua with a rich poignancy.
Akiona's original, "Forever in Your Eyes," is a simple but moving love song about the windows into a loved one's soul.
Two other tunes reflect Imua's finger on the community pulse. Though outdated now, Dunaway's "Mr. Governor," which chided Gov. Ben Cayetano at the height of the teachers' strike (Dunaway is a middle-school teacher himself), offers a memory or two. His "Warrior Pride," about the University of Hawai'i's football jocks and jockettes, remains a pertinent battle cry.
"Moonlight Surfing" by Imua. An audio sample is available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.
"Na Mele No Na Hanauna" by the Lim Family: The Lim Family has helped to raise the bar on Hawaiian music and continues to do so, with riches old and new shared in recordings like this one.
The 'ohana includes Nani Lim Yap, lead vocals and 'ukulele; Lorna Lim, lead vocals and bass; Elmer Lim Jr., vocals, bass and guitar; and Mary Ann Lim, vocals. Together, their importance is quickly realized: this is the Real McCoy, a traditional serving of past-generation-style harmony and instrumentation.
Singer-composer James Kaholokula Sr. may be gone, but his legacy lives, in "Pua Olena," happily reintroduced here for a new generation of listeners.
Ditto the old-style singing, heard on such wondrous hula chants and mele here as "Mai 'Italia Ko Lei Nani," which is, indeed, deals with Italy — well, a wreath from Italy, crafted by the French, transported to embellish the glory that was Kapi'olani. Plus lilting and endearing renderings of "Kaulana Hawu I Ka Hanohano" and "Beauty 'O Kaleimomi."
A clever "Auntie Genoa Medley" recaptures the essence of Genoa Keawe through this loving homage, complete with frisky 'ukulele work and vocal highs that echo the First Lady of Song.
"Pua Olena" by the Lim Family. An audio sample is available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.
