 |
|---|
 |
A prolific Kenneth Makuakāne has produced more than 100 albums and won 16 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom |
The White Bathtub
Kenneth Makuakāne
review
 |
Kenneth Makuakāne just celebrated the release of his new CD, The White Bathtub, with a party at the Pakele Lounge. Live on the Internet at PakeleLive.com, it was part of the concert series every Thursday at 6 p.m. HST, brought to us by the Ala Moana Hotel, LavaNet and Aloha Video TV.
A prodigious talent, Makuakāne has produced more than a hundred albums with various renowned artists and won 16 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. As natural as it is for birds to sing, Makuakāne composes. His works of art have been recorded by several local greats, the Cazimero Brothers, Amy Hānaiali'i and Loyal Garner to name a few.
This new album sets the mood appropriately with "These Dreams." Everything really good starts with a dream. Makuakāne said he has dreams that the world will have peace, and that the world will come together. "Instead of telling people to come together we should do it." Live the dream.
The second track is the title song "The White Bathtub," inspired by fond memories at his grandmother's house in Ka'ū.
The solo album is full of memories from his past. "You need to know your past, so you know where you are today," Makuakāne says. "Everyone wants to say our children are the future, but what about the rest of the sentence? If the children are the future then we are the mākua. We are the present and if we don't nurture the present, what future are they going to be walking into? That's what this white bathtub represents to me. I walked into my kupuna's future, they set the path for me and it's my kuleana, as a makua, to set the path for future generations." As with the circle of life, it's all connected in a never-ending flow.
Wow, such deep meaning behind this series of seemingly lighthearted songs with catchy beats like "I Breathe," "I Know," – "I know, I know, I know that I love you," he sings – and "Sandcrabs With Suntans," is all hot fun in the summer. "My Island Girl" is charming and very sweet. His touching ballad, "You Move Me" will sweep you away, as will "Thank You," a romantic narrative of gratitude for someone he's thinking of.
I'm told, when you record music, you put a little of your heart into it. Makuakāne referred to it as leaving your heart print. This is quite a print packed with 18 original songs. With the heart of a poet, the left-handed, upside-down guitar player wrapped it up with "Ma Nāwiliwili" in 'ōlelo Hawai'i.
Available online at Mele.com or DigStation.com. For more information visit Makuakane.com.
 |
Tropic Rhapsody
Teresa Bright
review
Lucky we live Hawai'i, the island paradise where palm trees blow, frosty tropical drinks don umbrellas and an exotic local girl with the voice of an angel sings, with a talent and a style that make the moon green with jealousy. Teresa Bright's rendition of "I'll Weave a Lei of Stars for You" by Alex Anderson is enchanting as she whispers the sentimental lyrics.
When angels are frolicking in the clouds and racing between the stars they listen to Tropic Rhapsody. When shadows dance, children sway and happy feet twirl across the dining room floor, they're listening to Tropic Rhapsody. "Silhouette Hula" was composed by Danny Kalauawa Stewart and Steve Graham.
"Kaimana Hila" has never been so sexy, 'ike e ka nani. The beauty of Diamond Head dazzles as she sings.
There's no war in this Hawaiian war chant; "Tahauala" has again become romantic. Adapted by Johnny Noble, the original mele of an encounter between two lovers was written by Prince Leleiohoku in 'ōlelo Hawai'i. A perfect pairing, Bright also sings "Aloha 'Oe," of the parting of lovers, composed by our beloved Queen Lili'uokalani. "Sweet Leilani" is paradise on a compact disc, and divine is "Blue Hawai'i."
Bright's CD is technically exquisite, kudos to the engineer and musicians Kit Ebersbach, Jeff Peterson, Von Baron, James Ganeko, Claire Hazzard, Rocky Holmes, Nancy Okimoto and Dean Taba.
With all this loveliness you should indulge. This new CD is fragrant with harmony's sweet scent, an enchanted treat, like Turkish delight for the ears, heart and soul. It leaves you wanting more. Sample for yourself.
Available at Borders and Mele.com. For more information visit MountainAppleCompany.com/teresa.
 |
|---|