“He Leo Huali”
Ra‘iātea Helm
(Raiatea Helm)
The voice and the style is the same; only the name has changed with this beautiful new album by the Hawaiian vocalist formerly known as Raiatea Helm. Putting an ‘okina in front of the “i” and a kahako over the second “a” changes the pronunciation. It also matches the modern spelling of the Tahitian island she was named for.
Either way, the multi-Hoku Award-winning singer has a beautiful voice. She applies it here to a collection of traditional-style Hawaiian and hapa haole songs. Her choices include classics by Kahauanu Lake, Lena Machado and John Almeida. She also supports the work of contemporary writers with songs by Tony Conjugacion and the writing team of Ki‘ope Raymond and Louis “Moon” Kauakahi.
A standout song in terms of representing a specific moment in time is “Kaneohe,” written by Abbie Kong Wilson and Johnny Noble to commemorate the extension of the electricity grid to Windward Oahu in the 1930s.
The album ends on a problematic note, however, with a medley of Hawaiian classics that aren’t identified. The respectful thing to do would be to acknowledge the composers.
Visit raiateahelm.com.
“Sirens”
Tim Rose
(Tim Rose Music)
Singer-songwriter Tim Rose took an impressive step forward last summer with the release of his first full-length album, “Tim Rose.” The lyrics displayed his range as an insightful writer on a variety of subjects. The instrumental arrangements positioned him as a contemporary mainstream pop artist — a little bit rock, a little bit bluesy — worthy of a national audience. The quality of Rose’s work was recognized by the Hawaii record industry. He is a finalist in two Na Hoku Hanohano categories, for Most Promising Artist(s) and Alternative Rock Album of the Year.
This recently released music video takes a song from the album and puts it in a new context. A surfer drowns off Oahu and encounters a siren, a mysterious female creature that is usually malevolent. Rose has a good face for video work, and the imaginative fantasy visual effects work well in creating the “other world” of the siren.
Visit timrosemusic.com.
“Where Heaven Lies”
Jim Hubbard
(JVH)
Jim Hubbard threads together elements of rock, country rock and American mountain music with this collection of 12 originals. Hubbard plays guitar (acoustic, electric and slide) and harmonica; he also sings. Fiddle player Lisa Gomes and mandolinist Vincent Pasternak are key in making several songs kin to the traditional music of mountain folk in the southern U.S. Keyboards, bass and drums round out Hubbard’s musical ohana.
A song titled “When I Come Home Tonight” describes life somewhere along Kalanianaole Highway, “living in the castle where the geckos roam underneath the moon” with his music and “kids and a beautiful wife.” Hubbard and his backing musicians wrap some good instrumental work around those lyric images.
The other songs can be described as “all American.” Some sound a little like Dylan; others hint of the Eagles or Neil Young. Most are straightforward celebrations of life and love; one or two share philosophical insights.
Visit cdbaby.com/cd/jimhubbard13.
