"Live Aloha"
ManoaDNA
(ASF)
The continuing development of Alx Kawakami as a singer-songwriter is nicely documented in the new album by ManoaDNA. Kawakami — the "A" in ManoaDNA — is the writer or co-writer of all 10 of the original songs on the album. Six are his work alone; the others he worked up with writers on the mainland and then recorded in Los Angeles with Grammy winner Ken Caillat producing. (Caillat’s prior credits stretch from work with Donovan and Fleetwood Mac to the recent hit albums by his daughter, Colbie.) Kawakami’s ambitions as a composer and lyricist have been an important part of the ManoaDNA package from the beginning. His proficiency in assembling words into interesting rhythmic phrases has increased with each passing year.
Some of his new songs are reminiscent of James Taylor. One, "Fire and Rainbows," is described in the liner notes as being "an obvious nod" to Taylor. The three others that came out of his time in•L.A. also have a "sounds like …" quality to them. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. "Sounds like …" can get an artist an initial hearing in new markets. "Break the Silence," a wistful song about loneliness and separation, certainly sounds worthy of national exposure.
Kawakami shows his ultraromantic side with "Say I Do," a song that is certain to become the theme of many island weddings.
Although the other members of the group — Alx’s brother, Nick Kawakami, and their father, Lloyd "Dad" Kawakami — also participated in the L.A. studio sessions, they’re more in evidence on the songs that were recorded here with veteran island studio musicians Seann Carroll (drums) and Mark Tano•uye (bass) as their rhythm section. Nick’s ukulele work on "What I Need" demands attention and gets it. Another locally recorded tune, "Sweet Embrace," shows the trio’s strength as musicians; Carroll and Tano•uye are all the backing they need.
ManoaDNA is a veteran club band and has an extensive repertoire of oldies and pop hits that many in Hawaii love — crowd-pleasers for club gigs but pointless as album tracks if done like the originals. The pop-chart remake that pops up near the end of the album shows what Alx, Nick and Dad can do as arrangers. Their take on "Down Under," an international hit for Men at Work in the early ’80s, uses a similar general rhythm but dispenses with the recurring flute riff and makes imaginative use of the instrumental passages. Not only do Alx, Nick and Dad go for it instrumentally, but Carroll pounds on his drums in memorable style. Tano•uye gets some solo time, too.
Song lyrics are poetry set to music. The trio puts the finishing touches on the album with a booklet that contains Alx’s poetry and the lyrics of "Down Under," too.
"Live Aloha" is available at www.ManoaDNA.com.
www.manoadna.com
"Everywhere You Go"
"Honoli’i"
Sunway
(Princess Lily)
A friend’s tragedy was the inspiration for this poignant song. Taken at face value, the lyrics express Sunway’s love for a place on "the cliff that overlooks the sea" somewhere on the Big Island near Hilo. The kaona (hidden meaning) is that the lyrics also mourn the death of someone who came from there.
Sunway and composer-producer Joerg Alfter keep it simple. Sunway’s strong and soothing voice needs nothing more than Alfter’s restrained accompaniment on piano to deliver a message of comfort and hope.
"Honoli’i" is a download-only single. It is available at iTunes and Amazon.com.
www.sunwayhawaii.com
"Honoli’i"
