Waipuna honors family, memories with collection of Hawaiian songs

"E Mau Ke Aloha"
Waipuna
(Poki SPCD)

Kale Hannahs, David Kamakahi and Matt Sproat address the importance of family and the death of Kamakahi’s father — Dennis Kamakahi — with this perfectly crafted collection of Hawaiian songs. Two of them are songs that Dennis Kamakahi wrote for David’s mother. A third, "Maika‘i Ka Makani O Kohala," has similar significance for the Sproat ohana; several members of the family are heard sharing their memories. A remake of "One More Day," a country song about wishing for another day with a deceased loved one, is included as Waipuna’s farewell to Dennis Kamakahi and the late Chino Montero.

The joys of life are celebrated as well. There’s a risque backyard party song, two Kawaikapuokalani Hewett compositions honoring indigenous goddesses, an original "place song" written for Sproat’s hometown of Hauula, and a zesty "Jus’ Press" instrumental medley presented as a tribute to slack-key master Ledward Kaapana. The trio also does a Hawaiian translation of a Japanese pop song that their fans in Japan are certain to appreciate.

Guest stars include Hewett, Greg Sardinha, Aaron Sala, Mark Yamanaka and Natalie Ai Kamauu. Each one enhances the trio’s work on an individual song.

A beautifully illustrated liner notes booklet contains all the necessary information on the songs and the trio’s reasons for doing them. For additional information contact Waipuna at waipunamusic@gmail.com.

"Rebecca Beralas"
Rebecca Beralas
(Leap of Faith)

Singer/songwriter Rebecca Beralas makes a promising debut as singer and songwriter with her self-titled extended-play (EP) release. Beralas blends Jamaican-style rhythms with smooth contemporary "urban" arrangements in ways that enhance the seductive appeal of her voice.

"Side By Side" shows her pop chart potential outside Hawaii. The rhythms on that one are mainstream pop rather than Jamaican or Jawaiian. The subject — a woman’s wish to be an equal partner with her man in facing life’s challenges — is addressed in mature and insightful poetic terms. "If the need arise, we can fight side by side," she promises. The love songs are nice but "Side By Side" stands out.

For more information go to www.rebeccavibes.com.

"Duke’s On Sunday 2"
Henry Kapono
(Kapono Records)

Henry Kapono Ka‘aihue has a catalog of original compositions that goes back 40 years to his first hits as one-half of Cecilio & Kapono, but at Duke’s Waikiki on Sundays, he plays his favorite songs by other writers. This recently released "live" album shows the width and breadth of his repertoire. With songs by Carlos Santana, Jimmy Buffett, Bill Withers and Bob Dylan, it is an eclectic assortment.

The title song is one of Kapono’s newer originals, and no Henry Kapono performance would be complete without "Friends." The sentiments of the latter resonate with people whose parents weren’t alive when he wrote it in the early 1970s.

The album is primarily a souvenir of a Sunday afternoon at Duke’s, but it is also important as another entry in his discography.

For more information go to www.HenryKapono.com.

"Heavy Metal ‘Ukulele"
Mōtley Ūke
(self-produced)

Raw metal-style vocals and crisp acoustic ukulele playing are the key elements in this EP album by experimental rockers Mōtley Ūke. Honolulu Star-Advertiser copy editor Jeff Clark is the ukulele player and songwriter; Ray Kan is the voice. Kenton Beal and Nancy Christenson complete the roster.

"Breaking the Law," a 1980-vintage Judas Priest classic, is a nod to one of the groups that fueled Clark’s interest in heavy metal rock. Two of his originals are interesting for other reasons. "Feeding the Fish" is addressed to a drowning surfer who learns too late that "Pipeline in winter is a lethal place to be." It’s an appropriate subject for a metal band song.

Hapa haole music has been evolving for more than a century, but Clark and the band explore a new mutation of it with "Pig Man and Kohelepelepe." They take an X-rated Hawaiian story and retell it as experimental rock.

For more information contact the group at motleyuke@gmail.com.

"Right Time"
PeniDean
(no label)

A significant shift in Hawaii’s "island music" scene occurred last summer when PeniDean Pua‘auli, lead vocalist and co-founder of Natural Vibrations, left the group to pursue a solo career. A second founding member, Kayton "Sly Mongoose" Macariola, went with him. They recruited four younger musicians to create a new group of six. This download-only single is their official debut.

The good news for "island music" fans is that Pua‘auli and Macariola are going in the same general direction they were going with Natural Vibrations. "Right Time" is a cheerful and upbeat tale of love and romance set to solid Jamaican-style rhythms. A full-length PeniDean album is the next step.

"Right Time" is available on iTunes at http://goo.gl/ssGbc6.