“Obsidian”
Izik
(Zeo Music)
Singer-songwriter Izik (birth name Isaac Moreno) has partnered with Hawaii music industry veteran Imua Garza on a debut album that seems certain to be a front-runner for best R&B album at the 2017 Hoku Awards. Izik wrote the songs; Garza was the arranger and studio orchestra. It was an excellent partnership.
The romance-heavy influence of Brian McKnight is evident on most of the selections — and that’s certainly a good thing. In terms of Izik’s long-term prospects, he is an imaginative and articulate lyricist. His love-gone-wrong songs deserve national airplay — have the words “igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary” ever appeared in a pop song before?
No information is provided in the liner notes, but the final song, “Strong & Beautiful/Watch Me From Above,” appears to be a requiem. Izik performs the final part of the suite accompanied only by an acoustic guitar. The change of format sets it apart from everything else on the album.
Visit izikmuzik.com.
“A Place for All”
Various artists
(Music of Kauai)
Composer/producer Art “Arturo” Umezu was the foundation of this fundraiser CD for the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center. Hawaii music industry veterans remember Umezu as a member of Matt Young’s local pop production team in the early 1990s. A remake of one of their local hits is among the eight songs included here.
The strongest selection in terms of lyrical content and production values is “Kaua‘i Maile,” a new contemporary hapa haole song, sung by Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann recorded as a guest of the Royal Hawaiian Band in 2006; now Carvalho too has a recording credit. Over and above the “singing mayor thing,” the song deserves to become a standard.
“You’re Always in My Heart,” sung by Jonathan Obiano, is certainly worthy of Kauai radio airplay. Other selections can charitably be described as earnest efforts by modestly talented karaoke singers performing to synth-track karaoke arrangements. For supporters of the KPCC, the main thing is the opportunity to “kokua ohana” and buy a copy.
Karaoke track versions of two songs add two more tracks to the package.
Call 639-6556 for more information.
“Smile”
Alx Kawakami
(No label)
Life inspires art in the case of this new single release by Hawaii expatriate Alx Kawakami. Kawakami, the “A” in ManoaDNA, wanted the perfect song for the first dance with his bride at their upcoming wedding and decided to write his own. Summing up everything he wants to bring to a lifelong marriage, Kawakami concluded, “I will always try to make you smile.”
Many other lucky couples who share a loving relationship — married or not — will find his words speak for them as well.
“Smile” is available for download at Amazon.com. The complete hard-copy CD-single is available on his website.
Visit alxkawakami.com.
