“Prologue”
Yoza
(Yoza Music)
Hoku Award-winning singer-songwriter Yoza builds on the foundation of her first two releases with this six-song CD. Folks old enough to remember Lauryn Hill can use Hill’s work as a benchmark in terms of where Yoza comes from as a vocalist — the first two songs, “Your Love” and “Gave You All My Love,” in particular.
Yoza and her musicians crank up the volume and rock harder with “Obsession.” The song is a searing description of a toxic relationship. People who know about Yoza’s life experiences recognize “Girl Without a Home” as autobiographical.
Although Yoza’s label doesn’t include composers’ credits, she does a nice job remaking “Broken Wings,” originally a No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit for the American pop group Mr. Mister in 1985.
Visit facebook.com/yozamusic.
“It’s My Time”
Candes
(CMG Records)
Candes Meijide Gentry in known in pageant circles as Miss Hawaii 1999, remembered by Hawaii theater veterans for her engaging performance in the title role of Diamond Head Theatre’s 2007 production of “Gigi” and recognized by the island recording scene as a versatile recording artist. This vibrant CD — a musical hana hou with composer/producer Magned07 — is a solid follow-on to their 2012 project, an EP titled “Love Game.” It displays her commercial appeal singing progressive dance music.
Candes’ lyrics cover a full arc of human experience in catchy commercial style. Magned07’s arrangements fit dance clubs and pop radio formats worldwide. Candes deserves a worldwide audience.
Visit candescd.com.
“The Brian Show”
Brian Von Ahsen
(VonAwesome Productions)
Singer-songwriter Brian Von Ahsen describes his music as “contemporary alternative joke-folk” and his debut album as a musical autobiography that covers his life from college to working in a mental hospital to testing his talent in open-mic nights in a local bar. He writes with a sense of humor even when commenting on serious topics.
Von Ahsen gets solid support from a smorgasbord of island musicians and singers. They represent a broad spectrum of modern music — rock, blues, folk, calypso and country among them.
Making effective use of the opportunities provided by the physical CD format, the album art adds context to the songs, and a foldout cartoon poster contains the complete “Myth of Brian.”
For information and some free “explicit” material, visit vonawesomemusic.com.
