ISLAND SOUNDS
CD Reviews: Uluwehi Guerrero, Mailani, Tim Fuller, the Keith Haugen 'ohana
By Wayne Harada
Special to the Advertiser
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ULUWEHI GUERRERO
Uluwehi Sings Na Mele Hula
Hawaiian Kaulupono Music
Uluwehi Guerrero is another Na Hoku male vocalist winner and a Maui kumu hula, whose contributions have hula implications, with proud links to the Valley Isle.
Overview: Maui gets prime attention via "Makawao Medley," "Haleakala Hula" and "Laupahoehoe Hula," but the CD also includes stories about "Beautiful Kahana," "Hilo Hula" and Japan on "Nani Kamakura." En route, Guerrero's chameleon tones, as falsetto and tenor, should ignite your inner hula spirit.
4 stars
MAILANI
Mailani
Hawaiian Mountain Apple Co.
Mailani Makainai keeps refining and rediscovering herself; using only a single monicker, this Na Hoku winner lives up to her Most Promising Artist win, with career No. 3 as a soloist. You know her from Keahiwai (with Lei Melket), then as a contributor to Mighty J. Well. Mighty M delivers a sultry sound largely in the Hawaiian realm.
Overview: Mailani has found true expression, singing and playing a number of instruments, connecting the dots with hues and tones that are delighting fans new and old; check out "Lei Aloha Lei Makamae," "Ua Like No a Like," "Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai," "Hihia Ke Aloha." She's the voice of the present, in sync with tunes of the past.
4 stars
TIM FULLER
Black Tea Slack Tea
Slack key Akashic Records
Tim Fuller has Santa Cruz roots, but Hawai'i lives in his fingertips; his slack key has Island riffs with jazz influences, and overall, it's soothing with easy access.
Overview: The joy of instrumentals simply means you can label and fine-tune the imagery with specific nuances. "Haole Slack Key" may suggest he's an outsider wanting in, but "Wahine Ilikea" demonstrates his empathy with local flavors and feelings. Titles, too, can nudge the mind to visualize fun, even without a golden trumpet, like the track "Herb Alpert Goes to Maui." Wowie. The title tune, with shadings of the Southwest perhaps with a squeeze of pineapple juice, is refreshing.
4 stars
HE PA'IPUNA- HELE NO TENNO HEIKA
Various artists
Japanese / Hawaiian Island Viking
This one, from the Keith Haugen 'ohana, boasts cultural and historic firsts; the first chant composed to honor a Japanese emperor; the first release to meld Hawaiian chanting with Japanese taiko drumming; the first recording of an arrangement of "Kimi-ga-Yo," the national anthem of Japan, fusing Japanese shakuhachi and brass band.
Overview: Haugen assembled kumu hula Kaha'i Topolinski, taiko whiz Kenny Endo, musician-engineer Pierre Grill and Haugen's son Stanton, who brings eloquence to "He Pa'ipunahele no Tenno Heika" and "Kimi-ga-Yo." Download these two tracks for free at www.hawaiiansong.com.
3 stars
