Variety of artists perform on cable host Tiny Tadani's CD

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

"TINY CD: WITH A TINY HELP FROM MY FRIENDS" by Tiny Tadani and various artists, Score SRD 100.

Tiny Tadani of Oceanic Cable is an enterprising entrepreneur; as a TV host and virtually a non-singer, his debut CD is unabashedly a vanity project in which he calls on his friends and puts himself in front of the mike to create a compilation the variety of which matches the plate lunch menu at Zippy's. Or, if you prefer, L&L Drive-Inn.

Attitude and spirit are everything here, though there are surprises. The multi-artist format makes this play like a karaoke evening, with guests passing around the mike. The CD represents Tiny's faves, performed by his friends. Camaraderie rules.

For instance, "Local Kine Grindz" co-hosts Bruddah Sam and Lina Girl turn in a sweetly blue "So Amazing" without their stereotypical pidgin. It is amazingly simple and wonderful.

Forte shows up on two charmers, "Stone in Love" and "I'll Be There," amid a reggae/hip-hop environment.

Also reggaefied: "Afternoon Delight," assembling Rocky Brown, Dita Holifield and Ellsworth Simeona; and Simeona solos on "We Just Disagree," demonstrating a grip on expression.

Rocky Brown updates Pauline Wilson and Seawind's "Follow Your Road" with a version that gives it renewed eloquence and indelible meaning. Clearly, this is the best track on the disc.

Jeff Rasmussen's two solos on "Crazy Love" and "Bluer Than Blue" are remakes with a touch of class, underlying his vocal prowess.

Tani Lynn Fujimoto's "Everlasting Place" – although a Christian entity – has crossover appeal in the 12-year-old's grasp.

Simeona and Holifield also join forces and revisit "When the Morning Comes," a Kalapana hit borrowed from Hall and Oates.

And Tadani's lone vocal, "The Lady Wants to Know," is actually a Michael Franks original that sounds like a daddy's address to a child in Tadani's hands.

Other tracks: theme songs from both "Grindz" and "Tiny TV," two Oceanic staples. Contagious fun throughout.

"EL LEO, THE JARICAN EXPRESS" by El Leo, the Jarican Express, Turtle Rock Music RTM 101.

El Leo is a Puerto Rican combo formed by Charlie and Jeannie Bargas in 1978; when they relocated to Hilo in 1992, they became El Leo, the Jarican Express. The group's music is rooted in Jibaro, the farming communities of Puerto Rico, though Jarican is a made-up name (by Charlie) that stands for "jamming Puerto Ricans."

With that scant background, you can easily samba your way through this assembly of kachi kachi sounds, projecting the traditional instruments of PR, including gario, cuatro and acoustic guitar, with embellishment from Caribbean instruments such as the maracas, claves, congas and bongos.

"Amor," "Cana Brava," "Solina" and "A Lo Oscuro" are atmospheric and traditional, but you'll get a hoot with "La Borinque Rap" and "Waltzes in Puna's Rain," adaptations that take liberties with musical genres and places. An ethnic toe-tapper.

"GOOD GOOD FEELIN'" by Mr. Vanray, Global Sounds International GSI 8002.

Mr. Vanray, heard on "The Best of Island Rhythm Music," is the latest Island reggae artist working under the tutelage of veteran producers Maurice Starr and Matt Young.

Vanray has ease, style and sizzle in his raps; surrounded by guest artists such as Lady Nio ("The Boom Boom Song," "Gimme Some More"), T-Bone ("Blackout"), Benjilino ("For You") and Shayla ("Good Good Feelin'"), he bounces through a polished, resourceful roster of Jawaiian gems with varying textures.

The tracks aim for Island rhythm formats on the Hawai'i radio dial, and club deejays will find fodder for dance fanatics, too. One to jive to.

Wayne Harada, The Advertiser's entertainment editor for the past 36 years, can be reached at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.