“KILAKILA ‘O KAHALAWAI”

Maui Jam Band (Maui Jam)

Multi-instrumentalist Al Nip is the leader, primary vocalist and solid foundation of the Maui Jam Band, made up of Valley Isle residents who play Hawaiian and hapa haole standards in the traditional nahenahe (sweet, melodious) Hawaiian style.

A majority of the songs here are the work of other writers — James ‘I‘i (“Makee Ailana”) and Lot Kauwe (“He Aloha No ‘O Honolulu”), to name two — but there are several originals as well. Unfortunately no information about these artists other than composer’s credits is included in the liner notes or at the group’s website.

Nip shares the vocal duties with several guests. Kelly Covington makes a welcome return to local music in an enticing arrangement of “In A Little Hula Heaven,” the 1937-vintage composition by Hollywood songwriters Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger. Covington doesn’t record often; this is a memorable example of what she can do.

Patti Kuwaye gets the vocal spotlight on an appropriately somber rendition of “Ku‘u Pua I Paoakalani” (The lyrics refer to Lili‘uokalani’s beloved estate in Waikiki; she wrote it while she was imprisoned by Hawaii’s enemies).

Band member Lance Tokushima closes the album singing lead on “Ko Aloha Makamae,” a song that shares his Christian faith in Hawaiian and English.

Visit mauislackkey.com.

“EP”

Uncle Tadashi & Da Boyz (Self-published)

Hawaii-born sansei (third generation Japanese-Americans) will find kindred spirits and shared experiences in this eight-song calling card.

The songs recall childhood games of jun ken po, Japanese television heroes like Kikaida, Pop Warner football and little league, and, of course, the legacy of the nisei (second generation Japanese-Americans) who fought for the United States in World War II. References to grandchildren indicate that some members of the group are at least in their mid-50s if not older.

Sandy Ordonez Tsujimura replaces Wade Kaneshiro as lead vocalist, and Chris Yeh joins Da Boyz on sax, on “Stay For Awhile” and “Love Will See Us Through.” The two songs sound so different from the others that it’s as if they were recorded for different projects.

Boyz lyricist Michael Ige writes in expository style that ignores conventional notions of rhyme, rhythm and meter but doesn’t detract from the sincerity of the emotions expressed. The lyrics of Tsujimura’s songs sound almost like unedited transcripts of real-life conversations.

Many sansei will certainly relate.

Visit uncletadashi.com.