ISLAND SOUNDS
Song sets tone for 'ukulele festival

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

A nationally-known recording artist launches the first-ever 'Ukulele Festival theme song, intended to be a promotional tool for the annual event.

Exotic music receives a deejay makeover, enabling a new generation to enjoy a classic Island sound with updated riffs.

It's summer — a season for musical discovery.

"COME AND JOIN US" by James Ingram; Intering Records

Distinguishing notes: James Ingram, the Grammy Award-winning singer-composer, has become a fan of Hawai'i's annual 'Ukulele Festival, which takes place today at Kapi'olani Park Bandstand. He collaborated with festival director Roy Sakuma to compose the festival's first theme song and provided his rich, resonant vocal pipes to sing it; Ingram's daughter Jiaya joining the effervescent Kamehameha School Children's Choir in providing a youthful measure; 'ukulele wizard Daniel Ho also contributes his considerable talent.

The CD single capitalizes on Ingram's soaring, hypnotic style and the the captures the fidelity of the festival and projects the spirit that is Hawai'i, beckoning visitors and attention to the event "where the music fills the heart with sounds of Hawai'i."

The outlook: You can buy the single ($5) at today's inaugural performance at Kapi'olani Park; with an identifying tune, Ingram and Sakuma have provided an invaluable promotional tool for future festivals to come.

Our take: Whether you strum or hum along, "Come and Join Us" is an anthem that will now enjoy "life" every summer — and in the seasons between the festival.

"Come and Join Us" by James Ingram. Audio sample available in mp3 format.

"DON TIKI ADULTERATED: THE REMIX PROJECT" by Don Tiki; Taboo Records

Distinguishing notes: As implied by the title, this is a remix of classic Don Tiki sounds, which pay homage to Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman and all the forefathers of exotica. Even repertory tracks have been mixed, reshaped, refined and re-invented by a coterie of top deejays — call it Martin Denny for the millennium — and the tunes take on new sass. Among the delights: "The Other Side of the Moon" by Ursula 1000 of New York, "An Occasional Man" by Keith Kandell of Los Angeles, "Bwana Banana" by Br Cleve's Bongo Congo Mix of Boston, "PolyamorÚ" by Poi Dog Pondering of Chicago and "All Quiet Flows the Don" by 8FatFat8 of Chicago. There's a mix of intermittent vocals with inventive instrumentals.

The outlook: This is party music that collates a myriad of styles, from exotic blues to ska, from funk to pop.

Our take: Light the tiki torches, turn on the lava lamps, haul out the tiki mask and start groovin.'

"The Other Side of the Moon" by Don Tiki. Audio sample available in mp3 format.

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