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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, April 11, 2008

ISLAND SOUNDS
S&S offers uplifting, original tracks

By Wayne Harada

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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"Na Po Makole — The Night Rainbows" by S&S; 'Aumakua Records

  • Genre: Contemporary Hawaiian.

  • Distinguishing notes: S&S is an instrumental duo comprising Stephen Inglis on slack-key guitar and Shawn Livingston Moseley on piano, with Cindy Combs guest-performing on ki ho'alu and 'ukulele. The act's sound is a cross between Island contemporary and "lite jazz," with roots in the slack-key tradition and elements from the soothing and invigorating new age genre.

    S&S hitches its sound to the allure of the rainbow, nighttime versions, one that encircles the moon, the other more spiritual and "seen" by a select few. The tonal qualities of the selections — in execution and arrangements — reflect acoustic sound pictures of quiet beauty, with flowing tidbits.

    The originals have Hawaiian titles, linking to the mindscape and soundtrack of the Islands, with clean, expressive treatments. "Lo'ihi," at 6:49 minutes running time, and "Paliku," clocking in at nine minutes, are the longest serenades offering the listener waves of moods and visions.

    The musicians take turns at solos; Moseley's piano work brings heightened eloquence to "Pua Ke Hau," and Inglis' slack key speaks volumes on "Kakahiaka Poni." Combs gets several solo nods, too, rendering her ki ho'alu technique to "Po Lani" and "Pinao."

    S&S composed all the selections. Consequently, the originality factor is high and mighty. Inglis was the lone composer on "Kakahiaka Poni."

    A Web site now under construction, www.aumakuarecords.com, will provide alternate song downloads, tunings and stories.

  • Our take: An enterprising duo with an uplifting sound — and something to say.

    Sample song: "Kalaupapa Kalico" by S&S

    "I Just Don't Look Good Naked Anymore" by Cordell Keith Haugen; Bishop Museum

  • Genre: Country-western.

  • Distinguishing notes: When Keith Haugen, also known as Cordell Keith Haugen, tuned up as a country-western singer and performed "Trucker's Lament," little did he know that his take — now dubbed "I Just Don't Look Good Naked Anymore" — would create a hit of sorts.

    He brought down the house at Honey's in Kane'ohe when he sang "Naked." Now, when he ventures to a club, fans may shout, "Hey, Keith, you just don't look good naked anymore," leading to a request to sing the song, even if it's a Hawaiian music show he's performing.

    Haugen has recorded the ditty and issued it as an initial collectible, coupled with a medley of "Cease Fire/Simple Song of Freedom." The non-Hawaiian selections are likely to be issued in a CD of potpourri tunes — a mixed bag of Haugen's non-Hawaiian side.

    "Naked" is a humorous take on age taking a toll on how you look in the buff as gravity pulls everything down. The track features jovial support from Pierre Grill and Don "Geezer" Humphrey; makes you wanna holler "yeehaw!"

    Available online at hakumele@aol.com; or visit www.hawaiiansong.com or call 951-4332.

  • Our take: Good clean fun, and a performance that could give Haugen his biggest hit ever.

    Sample song: "I just dont look good naked anymore" by Cordell Keith Haugen

    Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.