Island Mele: ‘Songs of C&K’ a collection of updated classics

It was 45 years ago that a mutual friend suggested to Cecilio Rodriguez and Henry Kapono Kaaihue that they might work well together. A short jam session proved he was right, and with mainland entertainment industry veteran Bill “B.T.” Thompson as their manager, Cecilio & Kapono became Hawaii’s biggest duo of the 1970s.

Now some of their songs have been reborn in “The Songs of C&K,” a compilation recorded by a younger generation of artists, each providing their own twist on the classic tunes.

C&K made history when they were signed to a three-album deal by Columbia Records, and with record-setting concerts at the Waikiki Shell and Aloha Stadium.

The duo broke up after their fourth album — for Hawaii-based Star Bolt Records — in 1978.

Four years later, concert promoter “Uncle Tom” Moffatt brokered a C&K reunion concert and a successful live concert album.

Six years after that, the duo known to insiders as “Cee and Henry” got back together for more than just a single concert. They recorded an album, “Goodtimes Together,” and won awards in several categories, including Album of the Year, at the 1989 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

More successful reunions and Hoku awards followed “Goodtimes Together,” but C&K experienced its biggest successes in the ’70s and ’80s. The two received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts in 2009.

The duo had parted ways and Rodriguez was living in his home state of California in 2011, when things changed dramatically for him. Charged with sex abuse for incidents that took place in Los Angeles County in the 1990s, Rodriguez pleaded guilty in 2012 and was sentenced to a one-year jail term.

It now seems unlikely that C&K will perform together again.

Kapono, however, has continued his successful solo career, and now he is stepping forward as a custodian of the C&K legacy.

THE NEW CD was underwritten mostly by First Hawaiian Bank, which is selling the CD at local branches. Proceeds benefit the Henry Kapono Foundation’s musical programs.

Kapono’s voice is prominent on some tracks and not heard at all on others.

Guests include Grammy Award-winner Kalani Pe‘a, using his popular bilingual Hawaiian soul stylings on “All in Love Is Fair.” C&K’s popular remake of the Stevie Wonder song was one of the few by other writers included on their Columbia albums.

Josh Tatofi likewise brings his Poly-­Soul sound to “About You.”

Mike Love evokes memories of the original recording with his faster-tempo arrangement of “Lifetime Party.”

Kimie Miner does a beautiful job with “Highway in the Sun.”

Paula Fuga demonstrates her talents as a song stylist and interpreter of other artists’ work with her mesmerizing treatment of “Song for Someone.”

Tavana also does noteworthy work putting a local classic in fresh context with his dark and powerful arrangement of “Home (And I’m Staying This Time).”

C&K vocal tracks from the original 1988 recording are used as the hook on Landon McNamara’s Jawaiian arrangement of “Goodtimes Together.”

Kapono documents the project with an illustrated liner notes booklet that includes lyrics and the performers’ thoughts on songs they chose.

For information on the album and the Henry Kapono Foundation visit henrykaponofoundation.org.

Hawaii can hear the album “live” on Sept. 15, when a Henry Kapono & Friends concert, postponed from last month due to threats from Hurricane Lane, takes place at the Waikiki Shell. Visit ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.