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"A Hui Hou (Until We Meet Again)"
Hula Honeys (Community Music)
It’s smooth American pop and traditional hapa-haole music all the way on the Hula Honeys’ third album. The duo — Maui residents Ginger Johnson and Robyn Kneubuhl — is working with a new record label, but other than that nothing has changed. Their harmonizing brings to mind the pop vocal groups of the ’40s and ’50s, and the songs are performed in the old hapa-haole style.
The duo honors island composers of years past with classics by Andy Cummings ("Waikiki"), Charles E. King ("Ne‘ene‘e Mai A Pili"), Mel Peterson ("You’re at a Lu‘au Now") and Dan Pokipala ("Nani Wai‘ale‘ale"). "Girl in the Coconut Hat," one of the three originals Johnson contributed to the project, is a perfect clone of the hapa-haole tunes of old.
"Kawaipapa," a mesmerizing tune composed by Kneubuhl and her daughter, Hina, is more modern in style but also a highlight number. The first verse is sung in Hawaiian, and it catches the ear despite the language barrier to everyone not fluent in olelo Hawaii.
There are basically two ways to do "Waikiki": either include Cummings’ original "There’s a feeling deep in my heart …" intro or cut straight to the chorus. The Honeys take the latter course but still do justice to the composer’s unforgettable tune and heartfelt sentiments.
Although clarinet, sax and trumpet aren’t generally thought of as Hawaiian instruments, they’re used effectively to accent the nostalgic mood. Solos by Ralph Gordon (bass) and Lenny Williams (vibraphone) enhance other selections.
The Honeys won the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for jazz album in 2010, and their work here is just as worthy. Fans of what is now known as "lounge music" will enjoy this album as well.
English translations of the Hawaiian lyrics of "Nani Wai‘ale‘ale," "Kawaipapa" and "Ne‘ene‘e Mai A Pili" are the only thing this album lacks.
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