Island Sounds
Bruce Hamada, Jim Howard CD reminiscent of a club visit

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

"HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN?" by Bruce Hamada and Jim Howard, BHJH 2182

Bruce Hamada, vocalist and bassist, and Jim Howard, pianist, have been the jazz standards at the Halekulani Hotel's Lewers Lounge for years.

This CD, recorded live on two-track at Audio Resource's Rain Forest Room, enables the duo to perpetuate its standing as one of Waikiki's cozy and quiet finds. The session plays like a club gig, sans applause, with a menu and flow that spell intimacy and warmth.

Musicians and singers know them well, because they often are hired for gigs outside of the hotel. Fans will appreciate this as a keepsake of a club visit.

There isn't a bad track, nor an unknown melody, among the timeless treasures selected for this release. Composers include the giants, from Richard Rodgers and

Oscar Hammerstein to Ira and George Gershwin, from Irving Berlin to Cole Porter.

Hamada's cool vocals are in the spotlight, on a rich sampler that includes "September Song," "Time After Time," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "That Old Devil Moon" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me."

But Howard's ivory power gets ample showcase, too, notably on the "Surrey With the Fringe on Top" and "How Deep Is the Ocean?"

The arrangements are fascinating, too; "Take the 'A' Train" is interpreted as a brooding blues ballad, instead of the more customary upbeat version, and another ditty about a train trek, "I Thought About You," projects a joyous jazz momentum.

"They Can't Take That Away From Me" by Bruce Hamada and Jim Howard. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

"BABALICIOUS" by Baba B, Fat Katz Productions, FKP 7005

Baba B's third CD offers few surprises; it's a continuation of what he has become known for, Island Rhythms with soulful riffs, reggae seasoning, pop appeal.

Surrounded by a wealth of talent (Fiji writing and rapping, Waltah Aipolani singing, Ronnie Esteban and Roni "Hobo Kid" producing), Baba is at his prime on "I Just Wanna Be Loved" (Fiji's rap is right on target) and "Talking Blues" (with Waltah turning on the reggae faucet).

Baba's originals, "Where's All My Braddahs" and "1, 2, 3" reflect a slightly more serious side.

Two other tunes to watch: "Fill You Up" and "So Amazing," from the Hobo Music gang.

Babalicious, indeed.

"SONGS FOR LOVERS OF THE SEA AND EXOTIC PLACES" by Stan Rubens and the Invisible 3, no label or catalog number

Stan Rubens is a singer-composer who has a love affair with the ocean; this compilation is a labor of love, with sound snapshots of Monterey and Santa Cruz, of fishing boats and waterfalls, of sailing and surfing.

It's natural theme for expression, but this CD has limited commercial prospects and sounds more like a vanity project.

Still, Ruben's vocals are earnest and he does some things right, as in the lyrics for his personal postcards about the sea he loves.

"There are so Many Fishes in the Sea" by Stan Rubens and the Invisible 3. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.