ISLAND SOUNDS
Conjugacion reprises his 1985 best-seller

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

You can go home again if you're Tony Conjugacion. His latest release is a re-worked, re-recorded re-visit to his 1985 album, top to bottom, with the same songs, same musicians, and consequently the same magnificence ... for a new generation of fans who've yet to sample Tony C's passion for things Hawaiian.

A new songbird also makes a stylish debut.

And a collection of hapa-haole classics brings back happy, simple times.

"HAWAIIAN PASSION" by Tony C (Conjugacion); Mountain Apple Records

Distinguishing notes: Imagine if the Beatles went back to the studio to re-record "Abbey Road," note by note. That's essentially what Tony Conjugacion did — take a hit disc and re-create the whole shebang. In doing so, he proves his voice still can reach those lofty falsetto tones, and songs from the original album (released in 1985) still resonate with the power of Hawaiian mana'o. Conjugacion re-assembled his original musicians (Leila Kiaha on keyboards, Charlie Fukuba on steel guitar, Jeff Rasmussen on guitar and vocals). The original 10 songs remain fragile and fresh, with Conjugacion's precise delivery.

The outlook: Conjugacion won a clutch of Na Hoku Hanohano Awards with the vintage recording; so why haul out the troops, dust off the arrangements, and re-visit the songlist? Well, "Passion" was his most popular disc, but the original is out of print; he didn't own the masters; the only way to revive the essence of the CD was to do it all over again.

Our take: With six bonus tracks, including "Hoehoe Na Wa'a" and "Pua Na'u," "Hawaiian Passion" clearly qualifies as a brand new recording. Surely, it will test the rules of the annual Hoku Awards come contest time.

"Hoehoe Na Wa'a" by Tony C. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

"MORE" by Maila Gibson; 808 Productions

Distinguishing notes: Maila Gibson, the sister of Miss Hawai'i Kanoelani Gibson, carves her own niche in the entertainment spectrum with this sweetly inviting compilation of mostly new tunes she wrote alone, or in collaboration with Ben Vegas, a successful soloist himself and former member of the Krush. Sticking to a mostly ballad (some with a light pop beat) format, Gibson exudes a smidgin of soul, a slice of country, a wedge of Hawaiiana and clearly a lot of effervescence.

The outlook: An auspicious debut and a simple but stylish introduction to a genuine talent.

Our take: This Gibson girl is ready for her musical closeup.

"More" by Malia Gibson. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

"HAPA-HAOLE HULAS" by the Kahauanu Lake Trio; Hula Records

Distinguishing notes: Hapa-haole tunes — mostly sung in English, about unquestionably Island themes, people, places, memories — were popular in the 1930s and '40s and adopted by the trio (K-Lake on 'ukulele, his brother Tommy on bass, Al Machida on guitar, and Mapuana Schneider performing hula). This compilation is just a small but revealing snapshot of the act and the times

The outlook: Recorded live, the songs (many with classic harmony) are accompanied by audience applause — a genuine ticket down memory lane.

Our take: One of the best, then and now.

"Maile Lei" by Kahauanu Lake Trio. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.