“Songs for the North Shore”
Ian O’Sullivan
(independent release)
Hawaii-born Ian O’Sullivan has followed his 2013 debut album, “Born and Raised,” with a second collection of acoustic guitar instrumentals. Like multi-Hoku Award winner Jeff Peterson, one of O’Sullivan’s teachers at the University of Hawaii, O’Sullivan has extensive formal training in the traditions of European classical guitar as well as experience playing Hawaiian slack key. The 11 songs here — all originals — display his personal synthesis of those traditions in compelling style.
Each melody represents a different North Shore landmark — mountains, fishponds, a remnant of the indigenous religion of Hawaii, and the communities scattered along the coast today. The album doesn’t place the landmarks in geographical order, but certain “stops” stand out. The melody of “Pu‘u o Mahuka,” written for a heiau, has a dark energy that is appropriate for a place where humans were sacrificed. In contrast, “Loko Ea” and “Waialua” convey the peaceful, easy feeling of relaxing out in the country.
O’Sullivan’s guitar is all that’s needed to make the album a beautiful musical tour.
Contact ianosullivan.com.
“Hua‘i”
Aja Gample
(independent release)
Singer/guitarist Aja Gample has created an impressive musical calling card with this seven-song EP. Three island classics show her commitment to Hawaii’s musical heritage. Four originals are certainly just the first contributions to a body of work that will carry that heritage onward.
“Hula Blues” reframes the Sonny Cunha/John Noble composition as an instrumental celebration of contemporary slack key. “‘A ‘Oia” shows that she can sing the songs of old in engaging style. Three of the originals also show her strength as a composer and lyricist.
Give Gample props as well for completing her debut release with the annotation all Hawaiian recordings should have. The chilling story told in “‘A‘ole Himeni ka Manu” would be missed by all but few without the English translation in the liner notes.
Visit www.ajakihoalu.com.
“Summer Fun”
Kauha‘a
(independent release)
After more than two decades producing documentary films, Ann Marie N. Kirk has stepped boldly beyond her comfort zone with this three-song collection of summer songs with Hawaiian flavors. “Hut Ho” is a rollicking celebration of contemporary Hawaiian canoe racing with a rhythm reminiscent of Bo Diddley or Johnny Otis’ 1958 hit, “Willie and the Hand Jive.” “My Baby’s Got” stands out for its unlikely pairing of steel guitar and tuba. Ukulele brings an island feel to “I’ll Sing for You,” although the lyrics don’t mention Hawaii by name.
Kirk is in the spotlight as songwriter, ukulele player and lead vocalist. Hawaii record industry veteran Pierre Grill provides the drums, tuba and steel guitar on “My Baby’s Got,” and Ronson Ascuncion is Kirk’s partner on “I’ll Sing for You.” The chemistry between them sells the song.
Visit www.bluecratermusic.com.
