Island Sounds
Depth, feeling revealed in CD debut

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

"In My Sleep" performed by Jason from the album Personalities. Available as an mp3 or RealAudio sound clip.

Jason Sadang distinguishes himself as a singer-composer of depth and sensitivity on this 11-song CD debut.

He wrote or co-composed all the songs; he explores the many personalities of love in a song bag rich with familiar but intimate devotion.

Two tunes take a nocturnal turn: "In My Sleep" and "Dream a Little Dream," examining the fantasies that are related to the night hours.

And his simple, sweet and assured delivery, in a contemporary rock-a-ballad motif, makes for an easy-listening, cozy-up-and-cuddle mood.

"Rainbows" is one of the unpretentious highlights, a song that lyrically mixes hope with bonding, sharing with caring. There's tenderness in delivery.

For variety, there are a couple of entries that turn up the beat, including "Ride, Sally, Ride" and "Sweet, Sweet Lovin.'"

And while "Na Pua O Ke Au Hou," sung in Hawaiian (in an uncredited duet) is both credible and appealing, it detracts from the all-English format of the rest of the disc. Better to have saved this one for a future mixed-bag outing combining English and Hawaiian repertoire.

"He Aha Kauhana" perfomed by David Kahiapo from the album One Heart, One Voice. Available as an mp3 or RealAudio sound clip.

David "Kawika" Kahiapo's second album is a happy blend of elements.

The title tune, his own creation, has political overtones, a rallying cry for Hawaiian solidarity: "Restitution must be done ... one heart, one voice, one people to stand as one," he sings, in a contagious folk-rock tempo.

Kahiapo also has a very pleasant Hawaiian posture, interpreting "He Aha Kauhana" with earnest confidence. The song has echoes of something Keali'i Reichel might have recorded and should emerge as the discovery on the disc.

A religious note underscores a medley, "Ho'omana," which intertwines "By His Wounds We Are Healed" with "O Lord, You Are Beautiful," performed in Hawaiian. Similarly, "More Love, More Power" has devotional references.

In contrast, "Honu" is a guitar instrumental about the sea turtle, a song composed after Kahiapo experienced a magical romp with swimming turtles.

Another endearing tune, "The Love You've Given Me," is an original in which Kahiapo sings of his appreciation and gratefulness to the love in his life: his mom.