Posted on: Sunday, September 24, 2006
ISLAND SOUNDS
Na Leo's harmony, songs of a life and Hawaiian standards
By (Ukjent person)
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Na Leo revisits its classic three-part harmony sound on its joyous 17th CD.
Kawika Regidor sings of life on his third album.
"WHERE I LIVE, THERE ARE RAINBOWS" BY NA LEO; NLP MUSIC INC.
Genre: World music.
Distinguishing notes: Na Leo is Hawai'i's winningest female group, and this compilation by Nalani Choy, Lehua Heine and Angela Morales recapitulates the trio's classic sound and style that have netted 22 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. This release is the trio's 17th in a prolific career. The title is a line from "Hawaiian Lullaby," the Sunday Manoa hit co-composed by Hector Venegas and Peter Moon; it's been popular in Na Leo's live shows. The fare is partly nostalgic, including "Kaimana Hila," "Sophisticated Hula," "Crushed Flowers" and "Soft Green Seas," and partly modern, with tunes associated with the group, including "Pineapple Express," "Ku'u Sweet Lei Makamae," and "Along for the Ride." While there are solo moments embellished with back-up voices (check out Wade Cambern's "Rhythm of the Ocean," the Daniel Ho-Esther Rivera country tune "Along for the Ride" and R. Alex Anderson's "Lovely Hula Hands"), the overall sound of this outing is group harmonies that are blessedly sweet and soothing.
Great workout by the band, too, featuring Rod Esteban, Randy Aloya, Ben Vegas, Bryan Kessler and Aron Nelson — a guest appearance by Kawika Kahiapo.
The outlook: Considering the repertoire, this one's destined to be a biggie in Na Leo's world market; it's the soundtrack of paradise.
Our take: If rainbows made a noise, they just might sound like this.
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"Hawaiian Lullaby" by Na Leo. Audio sample available in mp3 format. |
"GROWING UP" BY KAWIKA REGIDOR; NEOS PRODUCTIONS
Genre: World music.
Distinguishing notes: This is Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning Regidor's third album, containing 10 originals that supposedly reflect his maturity with links to childhood memories. Autobiographical elements arise on such entries as "Dedicated" (to his wife), "Carries Me Away" (to a place in the past), and so on. He covers Adam Sandler's "Grow Old With You," a track from the actor's "Fifty First Dates" soundtrack, and local composer Frank Hewett's "Sweet Lahaina Nights." The Kaimana Band provides frisky support throughout.
The outlook: Lively, contagious melodies abound — a user-friendly collection.
Our take: You can't go wrong singing about what you've lived.
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"Growing Up" by Kawika Regidor. Audio sample available in mp3 format. |
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