Movie soundtrack includes songs by Keawe and Kaapana

"Songs of Aloha (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)"
Various artists
(Madison Gate/Legacy Recordings) 

Hawaiian music got a big push in 2011, when Alexander Payne included recordings by slack-key guitarists in the soundtrack album of "The Descendants." Four years later, Cameron Crowe is likewise giving welcome attention to traditional Hawaiian and hapa haole music in the soundtrack of his set-in-Hawaii film, "Aloha."

The soundtrack CD will be released Tuesday in advance of the film’s Friday opening.

Traditional Hawaiian music is heard in vintage recordings by Alfred Alohikea ("Hanohano Hanalei") and Genoa Keawe ("Alika"). Classic hapa haole music is represented by the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders’ recording of R. Alex Anderson’s "I’ll Weave a Lei of Stars for You." Steel guitarist Bobby Ingano and slack key masters Ledward Kaapana & Mike Kaawa, and Cyril Pahinui add those important genres to the collection. Crowe also includes songs by a wide range of contemporary pop and rock artists, from David Crosby, Fleetwood Mac and Hall & Oates to Beck, Vancouver Sleep Clinic and The Tallest Man On Earth. Crowe writes in the liner notes that the eclectic playlist is like one of those "seemingly incongruous collections of artists that someone fit together to create an audio souvenir."

People who see the movie will probably get what he’s talking about. In the meantime, give Crowe credit for spelling Kaapana’s name correctly — without adding an ‘okina.

Available on amazon.com.

"Chance ‘Um!"
Chance ‘Um Trio
(Aloha ‘Aina Music)

The Chance ‘Um Trio is Edward Smith, David Henry and Kate Burroughs. They sing like most local trios do, but their choice of instruments sets them a bit apart. Smith plays an ukulele that has eight strings rather than the standard four, and Burroughs strums mandolin rather than guitar or ukulele. (Mandolin was a prominent instrument in Hawaiian music a century ago but is rarely heard these days.) With Eddy Atkins (electric bass) and Dwight Tokumoto (steel guitar) playing as their studio guests and sidemen, the group’s debut album is an impressive calling card.

They specialize in popular tunes of years past. "Kawika" and "Green Rose Hula," for instance, and "Laupahoehoe Hula," which they do in honor of the place they call home. They also play compositions by Palani Vaughan and Dennis Kamakahi. The group does particularly well with "Kawika," but their somewhat doleful arrangement of "Ku‘u Home O Kahalu‘u" is at best a noble effort when compared to Jerry Santos’ definitive original.

"Mauna Kea Sugar" is a memento of plantation days with lyrics said to be inspired by real-life plantation employees; it will be fresh material for many folks outside that district. There is also an original song, "Aloha no Honokaa," a place song that Smith wrote several years ago for a song contest.

The Hawaiian musicians of old played mainstream pop hits as well as Hawaiian standards and hapa haole tunes. The group evokes that tradition with the final song on the album, "The Nearness of You," an American pop hit of the 1930s they play hapa haole style.

The liner notes — a 16-page booklet and more information on the CD package — completes "Chance ‘Um!" by providing the Hawaiian lyrics, English translations and background information. For instance, Henry and Burroughs met Smith when they moved to Laupahoehoe on Hawaii island and starting looking for someone who could teach them "Laupahoehoe Hula."

Visit www.chanceumtrio.com.

"I Ono Fo You"
Lee Gonsalves
(Tin Idle Productions)

The Hawaiian word "ono" is usually translated as "tasty" or "delicious," but it can also translate as "crave" or "hungry for." Veteran songwriter Gordon Broad uses that second meaning in this contemporary hapa haole song. Vocalist Lee Gonsalves voices an almost endless list of island foods he’s "ono fo’," but most of all, "My honey, I ono fo’ you." It’s a romantic thought that will certainly appeal to many local folks.

Novelty songs have a long history in hapa haole music. So do songs about local food.

This recording, essentially a composer’s demo, adds another title to both genres. It seems certain to inspire many folks who have audio-recording and music-creation software to take their own best shot at becoming recording artists.

Visit cdbaby.com/cd/leegonsalves2.