‘Lehua’ provides vehicle for Enos to blossom

"Lehua"

Johnson Enos
(Ocean Records Hawaii)

Singer-songwriter Johnson Enos’ new album builds on the momentum created by his children’s musical, "Honu by the Sea," last summer. Two songs here are from the show; the others are arranged in similar style. All but one is hapa haole one way or another. Keep in mind that Enos has ties with Disney, and it is easy to imagine these recordings on the soundtrack of a Disney animated children’s project.

Enos opens the album with an imaginative arrangement of "Blue Hawaii" that positions him as a contemporary pop crooner working with expansive electro-symphonic arrangements.

"Ku‘u Pua‘ala," sung in English despite the title, is another of his biggest and most memorable selections.

"Pearly Shells," presented with the lilt of old-time "tiki bar" jazz, is a new take on a standard.

A couple of songs break with the prevailing electro-symphonic, hapa-haole format. Take the title song, "Lehua," which is hapa haole in subject matter but spiced up with a catchy horn arrangement that’s reminiscent of late-’60s pop music. It’s cutesy but in an attention-getting way that works.

"My Way," yes, the Frank Sinatra/karaoke anthem, must have personal significance for Enos but would fit better on another album.

www.johnson-enos.com

"Blue Hawai’i"

"Almost Home"

Reggie Padilla
(Pass Out)

With "Almost Home," tenor saxophonist Reggie Padilla makes the transition from studio sideman and band member (Family Band, Bop Tribal) to solo artist. Hawaii doesn’t see many locally recorded jazz albums these days. Recorded "live" over two days in October in Hono­lulu, "Almost Home" is a project that Hawaii can claim with pride.

A full set of 12 original compositions shows that Padilla enjoys several styles of acoustic jazz and gives evidence of his vision as a composer and range as a performer.

Three veteran musicians — Jim Howard (piano), Abe Lagrimas Jr. (drums) and Dean Taba (bass) — provide solid support. The quartet swings through a tune titled "Hub Caps." Howard is showcased in a beautifully executed passage with the rhythm section, and Lagri­mas gets several brief solo spots.

Blues and gospel tones dominate on the final number as Padilla’s sax leads the quartet to a stirring, soulful finish.

www.reggiepadilla.com

"Green Room, Grey Room"