Music: CD reviews
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JAKE SHIMABUKURO
LiveWorld / Hitchhike
Arguably the No. 1 'ukulele virtuoso, Shimabukuro tours solo, jams with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and records with Yo-Yo Ma. Alone with his trusty uke and playing "raw" amid adoring fans in clubs large and small, Ol' Frenetic Fingers gently sweeps through 12 emotion-charged originals (some known, some new) and five covers, including an uke take of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and a killer Bach bit on "Two-Part Invention No. 4 in D Minor."
Wayne Harada, from Show & Tell Hawai'i
Overview: Shimabukuro's sizzling strumming style gets ample showcase, but warm, intimate and quiet moments endear, too. But where's the DVD version?
4 stars
BROTHER NOLAND
Hawaiian Man
Traditional Hawaiian / Mountain Apple Co.
A pioneer of Jawaiian music, Brother Noland returns to his Island roots with this revealing, reassuring assembly of traditional Hawaiian tunes rendered in old-school kupuna style, laced with wisdom and soulfulness. Highlights: a playful "Henehene Kou 'Ana," a reflective "My Little Grass Shack at Kealakekua, Hawaii," an expressive "Great Hawaiian Man" (in English) and new versions of "Royal Hawaiian Hotel" and his signature "Pua Lane." Noland's casual style is blessed with accompaniment of Ledward Ka'apana, Mike Kaawa and Kawika Kahiapo; his Hawaiian eloquence makes this a winnah. Don't miss the bonus track, "Mr. Sun Cho Lee."Wayne Harada, from Show & Tell Hawai'i
Overview: This is kanikapila time, a moment for sharing; happily, Noland plays live Sundays at the new Kani Ka Pila club at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach.
4 stars
MSTRKRFT
Fist of God
Electro / Dim Mak / Downtown
In just the last five years, electro music has taken big strides toward the indie mainstream, thanks to Daft Punk's resurgence and Justice's relentlessly catchy hooks. If being the name most frequently cited by genre-heads as the next-big-thing counts for anything, then Canada's MSTRKRFT can be almost counted on as heading toward a breakthrough with this, its second LP. Guests include, among others, rappers E-40 and Ghostface Killah, as well as smooth-voiced R&B man John Legend.Jeff Miller, Metromix
Overview: Unabashedly head-banging from its outset, "Fist of God" isn't about subtlety, it's about nonstop butt shaking. That means a bit too much of the same thing (what electro album needs both a with-vocals and instrumental version of the same song?) but it also means nearly 40 minutes of music that chugs with ferocity.
3 stars
BONNIE PRINCE BILLY
Beware
Indie-folk / classic country
Drag City
Will Oldham (aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy) has a reputation for unpredictability and never pandering to his audience. His massive catalog contains a peppering of goofiness, rowdiness and bawdiness, but he's best known for harrowing, minimal indie-folk LPs. On "Beware," though, Oldham applies some classic country polish and is joined by a big ensemble. The album wraps with a particularly strong sequence, keyed by the rousing closer "Afraid Ain't Me." The professional Nashville polish throughout will turn off some of his DIY "Darkness" fanatics, but it's safe to guess that Oldham doesn't give a damn.Adam McKibbin, Metromix
Overview: On the surface, "Beware" sounds like Bonnie has cheered up. There are boot-kickin' hoedowns and sing-alongs, but forget any notion that "Beware" is going to be twangy fluff. The heart of darkness still beats.
4 stars
