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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 11, 2007

ISLAND SOUNDS
'Back to the Islands' is a tropical tonic

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

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"Back to the Islands" by Sonya Mendez; Fat & Happy Records

  • Genre: Island rhythms.

  • Distinguishing notes: Veteran performer Sonya Mendez has covered every style, including pop, lounge, disco and rock. In this self-produced venture, she has concocted her own tropical tonic, with flavors from our Islands to the Carribbean. The melodies and themes tap romance and sunny-sky landscapes, mynah birds and lu'au festivities. She even does a rendition of "Bali Hai" — a nod to her recent success in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific." She performed the Bloody Mary role with a vengeance.

    There are some fascinatin' rhythms, from a remake of Mackey Feary's "Moon and Stars" to Seawind's Bob Wilson's "He Loves You," plus a signature "Luau Cha Cha," a composition of the Sherman Brothers (Richard and Robert), whose credits include the "Mary Poppins" score, in both an English and Spanish version.

    Mendez gives an Island twist to Latin rhythms, having Robi Kahakalau provide Hawaiian lyrics on "Bossa Nova Hand Dance." Indeed, whether it's hula with a bossa nova beat, a mai tai with a cha cha flavor or the simplicity of a "show tune" such as Alan and Marilyn Bergman's "The Island," Mendez is a savvy artist who enlists the kokua of worthy pals. In jazz/soul groove, she makes Michael Ruff's "You Don't Love Me" rock.

    And in the spirit of helping, portions of the proceeds are earmarked for her Well of Hope project that aids villages in Ethiopia.

  • Our take: Mendez's repertoire is not particularly mainstream; she moves to her own drumbeat and there's nothing wrong with that.

    Sample song: "Island Rain" by Sonya Mendez

    "Live From the Lo'i" by Kamau; Eepa Productions

  • Genre: Traditional and contemporary Hawaiian.

  • Distinguishing notes: What an encouraging development, this: Kamau is a next-generation act, composed of Kamana Beamer, son of musician Kapono Beamer; Kaliko Ma'i'i, son of musician Steve Ma'i'i; and their pal, Adam Zaslow.

    They've produced a baker's dozen tunes, in English and Hawaiian, fusing the culture of the past with the present. Happily, there's a brief revival of tutu Nona Beamer's "Pupuhinuhinu," and a Helen Desha Beamer family classic revival, "Keawaiki." Kamana Beamer contributes a splendid selection of originals that suggests a lingering new-generation spurt of fabled music that future generations of listeners can enjoy, including Hawaiian ("E Keali'inohopono," "Ku'e no") and English ("Storm," "Live From the Lo'i").

  • Our take: This is an important musical document with the next-generation perspective — after all, Kamau means to persevere, to continue.


    Sample song: "Money" by Pharaoh Papi

    "Pharaoh Papi" by Pharaoh Papi; Off the Work

  • Genre: Urban rock, rap.

  • Distinguishing notes: Pharaoh Papi is a Pa'ia, Maui-based artist with finesse in the rap-rock realm. The biggie here is "R U Ready," which radio fans have adopted, and Papi's style is a form of talk-sing that hooks to a tempo-driven format. There are guest voices, notably on tracks such as "Wit' U," but the release is devoid of any details — a mere cover, with a 10-song roster on the back jacket. No credits on who wrote what, or who provides back-up voices that sweeten the pop occasionally.

  • Our take: Some good vibes with rapster roots — not for everyone but should find an eager audience of dance-happy and club-going youths.


    Sample song: "Auwe" by Kamau

    Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.