ISLAND SOUNDS
Two approaches to traditional tunes bring back memories
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Old-fashioned sounds — one with a Hawaiian jazz flavor, the other with a free-flowing kanikapila mood — provide a nostalgic stroll down memory lane.
"TROPICAL SWING" by Bill Tapia; MOOnROOmRecords
Genre: Adult contemporary; hapa haole; Hawaiian jazz.
Distinguishing notes: At 96, Bill Tapia is making his solo recording debut with this delightful, revealing session. He's a singer, a guitarist, and 'ukulele player — and with The Essential Resophonics, a young ensemble playing in the old-fashioned style — he evolves into low-key, master entertainer. Island influences infiltrate his repertoire, which includes oldies from the Tin Pan Alley era as well as ditties that have been embraced by yesteryear's Hawaiian musicians. So he sashays from a way-cool vocal of "Mack the Knife" to an atmospheric and arousing uke-solo instrumental of "Stardust." He brings nostalgic syncopation to two 1930s favorites, "Tropical Swing," and "The Stars and Stripes Forever," which are highlights in his pioneering sound that finally is potentially reaching a wider audience. (The scratchy 78-rpm sound is deliberate and authentic). His age, surely, is part of his appeal — when you're pushing 100 and pumping out such vibrant and infectious sound, you deserve notice. And folks will notice, big time.
The outlook: Tapia's earlier appearance at the Hawai'i Theatre set the stage for this showcase; his instrumental dexterity is beautifully framed amid steel guitar, double bass and guitar.
Our take: Move over, Jake Shimabukuro, and save some space for Bill Tapia; his may be an unknown name to most uke lovers — but not for long.
"IN THIS ENCHANTED PLACE" by Manny K. Fernandez; Peke Kini Records
Genre: Traditional Hawaiian.
Distinguishing notes: Manny K, as he is billed, offers an ambitious collection of 23 tunes that harken back to territorial times. A quick listen, and you harken back to simpler days of backyard kanikapila, beachfront jams, living-room serenades — pre-karaoke, of course. The titles are all familiar, some with unabashed nostalgia that cries for yesteryear's gentler moods and easy-on-the-ear tunes. The titles tell the tale: "Ku'u Hoa," "He Punahele," "Ahulili," "Hapa Haole Hula Girl," "Lae La Lae Lae," "Waikiki."
The outlook: For those who seek and savor those wondrous oldies, this one won't disappoint.
Our take: Pure enchantment from the golden years of Island sounds.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
