Island Sounds
'Best of Poi' compiles Island favorites
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
"STILL POUNDING: THE BEST OF POI POUNDER RECORDS VOL. I" by various artists, Poi Pounder Records, PPR 7005
With Sean Na'auao on the cover and performing five of the six new tracks in the collection, this compilation from Poi Pounder Records is as 'ono as poi. Seven titles, most from three earlier Na'auao CDs, plus recordings from Three Plus and Kahiau, make for easy listening.
The intent is to showcase artists whose careers were jump-started by earlier releases on this label. It's a quick look backward into time, though the new songs would seem to be future hits, too.
Clearly, Na'auao is the big deal here, with an acoustic remix of his classic "Fish and Poi."
"Let's Stay Together" is both bluesy and sweet, with a hip-hop rap midway through; "98 Degrees in the Shade" could raise temperatures with its techno-pop effects; "Sincerely" is a sliver of nostalgia but remolded for a contemporary audience;, "Summer Lady" is the seasonal sizzler linked to Cecilio & Kapono. His other tunes include "Punani Patrol," "Love," "Make It With You," "Hawaiian" (a measure of Jawaiian fusion encompassing a chant with Hawaiian lyrics), and "Surf Pa'ina."
Kahiau's fresh entry is "Impressive," reflecting its vocal riches in the Jawaiian realm; it also offers the breezy "Easy Listening" and the rockaballad "Party Time."
Three Plus' "Cool Operator" "Driving Me Pupule" and "Don't Have to Think Twice" are punctuated by enticing harmonies.
"HAWAIIAN SOUND SHOT" by Pablo Kulcha & Justice Moon, Ilio Nui Records, INL-7702
Kulcha and Moon typify contemporary CD artists. The former is a Big Island DJ on the reggae, club and festival circuits for years; the latter is a singer-rapper-composer plugged into the Hawaiian-Jawaiian movement.
Together, they offer a hip, assured mastery of local rap. Phraseology is as natural and intoxicating as tempo (examine "Hawaiian Lion," a masterful mouthful) with occasional bursts of humor and irony ("An' Den," "Where Aloha Stay?" and "Island Earth") rooted in the 'aina. They prove that they can inject pidgin and its peculiarities into the reggae mold.
"BROWN 2 DA BONE" by 45 Dash, Onipa'a Records, ORCD 003
45 Dash is comprised of Shawna D, lead and background vocals plus 'ukulele; Vinson "Vinny" Gerona II, guitar, lead and background vocals; Saffrey K. Tilton, bass and background vocals; Ethan B. Waite, lead and rhythm guitar; and Thomas Tilton, drums.
The group writes its own music, Island melodies with a crude innocence, projecting desire with honesty. The tunes reflect themes that mirror everyday emotions and events. Examples: Being brought up "local" is the theme of "Brown 2 Da Bone," which packs a lot of meaning; "Thinking of You" examines friction in a relationship; "Hawai'i My Home" is about loyalty to the 'aina.
