Island Sounds
'Jewel's' infectious riffs and rhythms target dance crowd
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
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"FAMILY JEWEL" by Scott Allan, Airtime Recording Company, ARC 2000
Scott Allan (last name, Katsura) is a Hawai'i native now based in New York. His latest CD clearly is a disco effort — OK, perhaps dance club or dance hall is more the term these days — with throbbing, infectious tempos from start to finish.
More likely to be heard in dance venues in the Big Apple, Los Angeles and European markets than on FM radio, "Jewel" is blessed with crisp production values, no doubt a result of the savvy at the producer level. Allan's producers here include Giuseppe D (clients include 'N Sync, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Donna Summer), Mickey Garcia (MicMac and 21st Century Records) and Terry Silverlight (Roberta Flack, George Benson).
The breakout tune is "Love and Sex," which has all the elements of dance fare — a backbeat that doesn't quit, techno-pop musical riffs — a tune Allan has co-written.
There are numerous other jewels: "Best Day of My Life," "Single Tonight," "Live Out Your Dream," "Party Girl," "Deeper Feelings," "Gotta Love Yourself," plus two major covers not commonly reformatted for dance fanatics: "Three Times a Lady" (the Lionel Ritchie signature) and "Babe" (the Styx classic). The former has a sweetly nudging beat, the latter begins a touch-dancing ballad with a pulsating dance tempo taking over.
"Best Day of My Life" by Scott Allan. Available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.
"SUNUP TO SUNDOWN" by Rodz, Neos Productions, VO55
Jawaiian rules in this debut CD by Rodz (Rodney Manuel), which shares some of his songwriting skills and reggae/-hip-hop prowess.
"Drinkin' Moon Light," "Hawaiian Sunrise" and "Reggae Woman" are among his originals, each reflecting a party spirit.
"What Am I Gonna Do," with lyrics that pick up on local food faves (pork and beans, sushi, kim chee, Spam), is the track that is garnering initial attention. Local boy with no money but big appetite — a reality check.
"Cisco Kid" by Rodz. Available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.
"WEEKEND IN MAKENA" by Kupono Kane, Kelela Records, KR 1001
Meet Kupono Kane, comprised of Lane Ikawa, 14, and Kyle Arakawa, 16, two Maui lads who attend Maui High and Baldwin High, respectively.
Seven of the 12 titles are originals; these two are smart enough to write about what they know. Kupono Kane's sound is both innocent and inventive, in the spirit of the original Pure Heart, right down to the 'ukulele-highlighted accompaniment (including guest strumming by Herb Ohta Jr.). Could this group emerge as this year's "find"?
"Makena" and "'Iao Valley" are rich with praise of those Maui sites. "One and Only Girl" is a gentle, loving and romantic postcard-in-song by Ikawa and similarly, "My Everything" is sweet and seductive, by Arakawa.
There's a cover of John Cruz's "Island Style," plus "That Thing You Do," from the Tom Hanks movie . And the thing they do here is impart their own Valley Isle flavors into both songs.
"Makena" by Kupono Kane. Available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.
Wayne Harada can be reached at 525-8067 or wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or send him a fax at 525-8055.
