ISLAND SOUNDS
Island artists roll out Christmas favorites

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Santa has delivered four new local CDs for Christmas this year — each with a distinct flavor — to put an island stamp on some very familiar and, on a few instances, rarely-heard tunes.

You can sample two mixed plates of sounds, a Hawaiian take-out, or an instrumental serenade that girdles the globe like St. Nick.

• Genre: Christmas

• Distinguishing notes: 20 songs by 17 artists plus a free Pizza Hut pizza — who could ask for anything more from sponsor-czar Tiny Tadani? An ambitious mix of show biz veterans like Melveen Leed ("Mary's Boy Child") and Jan Brenner ("The Light") and reigning local faves like Ilona Irvine ("Merry Christmas Darling"), 'Ale'a ("The Christmas Song") and Tiffany Thurston ("All I Want for Christmas You"), make this a family-aimed disc. Tadani sings "Christmas Time Is Here," in his best-yet outing (must be the season), though he gets terrific support from DisGuyz. Other worthy cuts are by Forte ("Spend This Christmas," with DisGuyz), Norm ("Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home"), Justin and Javen Praisley ("Celebrate Me Home") and Dita and Ells ("The Gift," with DisGuyz). Even pastor Wayne Cordeiro is in a warm vocal mood ("Iesu No Kekahuhipa").

• The outlook: Like ornaments on a tree, each tune has its own sparkle and magic. Consequently, don't discount a pair of entries by the Kamehameha Schools Concert Glee Club, "Carol of the Bells" and "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," whose youth and spiritually really is what Christmas is all about.

• Our take: Xtreme Xcitement for all ages.

"Merry Christmas Darling" by Ilona Irvine. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

Genre: Christmas

• Distinguishing notes: A 16-song compilation assembles 16 titles that offer a little bit of tingle with the jingle of the season. Keli'i Kaneali'i (ex-Hapa) puts a little soul into "The Christmas Song," Martin Pahinui adds a Hawaiian punch on "Mele Kalikimaka," Robi Kahakalau delves into "That Spirit of Christmas," and for a serving of jazz, Azure McCall teams with Tennyson Stephens on "Winter Wonderland." The one-name wonders, Justin ("What Child Is This") and Norm ("Silent Night"), offer solemnity, and there's a bit of celebrity, too, in Moana Feinga (ex-Jets) and her "Merry Christmas Darling." Terse-but-savvy liner notes introduce acts to those wonder who's who, and a classy tropical cover image.

• The outlook: Plenty of variety, like Rolando Sanchez's "Feliz Navidad" and the kiddie classic, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Deanna Mutch.

• Our take: Easy on the ears, a pleasant one to listen to between hops to the malls.

"Auld Lang Syne" by various artists. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

• Genre: Christmas

• Distinguishing notes: Out since October, Sean Na'auao's debut Christmas CD boasts four originals he co-composed with his wife Kau'i; thus, it's truly the freshest of the holiday crop, upholding the family virtues of the holiday season. The title song (what's a Kanaka Christmas without fish and poi, squid and chicken lu'au, as the lyrics say) plus "Secret Santa" are particularly suited for attention. Otherwise, Na'auao puts his pop stamp to "Winter Wonderland," "Mele Kalikimaka Ia 'Oe," "Let It Show" and "Silver Bells."

• The outlook: Not your traditional holiday sing-out; an occasional surprise (Na'auao maintains several vocal postures — Hawaiian, pop balladeer, funster) makes this CD a treasure. And for you sing-along buffs, lyrics are included!

• Our take: Vibrant and varied song list, performed by one of the industry's chameleons, who thinks and works outside of the box — making him a leader that others follow.

"Winter Wonderland" by Sean Na'auao. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

• Genre: Christmas instrumentals

• Distinguishing notes: A rare two-disc release, bulging with 30 tunes — enough for a 'round-the-island cruise, it seems. Jack de Mello, the "grandfather" of the Mountain Apple Company (meaning he's the father of current CEO Jon de Mello), explores electronic moods through the yuletide repertoire. Think music box with a positive accent — a wondrous disc (featuring Symphony of Sounds Electronica Ensemble) for quiet Christmas dinners, for cuddling, for early-morning gift-opening. Disc One compiles 18 tracks (some medleys) of songs known the world over, from "Silver Bells" to "Silent Night," from "O Holy Night/O Christmas Tree" to "White Christmas." Disc Two is a global trot, demonstrating cultural diversity, and tapping many nations, from Portugal to China, from Italy to the Philippines, from Mexico to Germany, from France to Austria. Some are known the world over; others are wondrous introductions to an exotic soundscape.

• The outlook: A veritable buffet of listening — and aural pleasure.

• Our take: A classic for anyone, anywhere; evokes emotional, inspirational, joyful sentiments.

Reach Wayne Harada by e-mailing wharada@honoluluadvertiser .com, phoning 525-8067 or faxing 525-8055.