CD Review: Kimie Miner's New Self-Titled Release

Kimie Miner
Kimie Miner
Self-Release

Hawaii's Kimie Miner is a singer-songwriter of Hawaiian and Portuguese descent. The rousing tunes on her self-titled release are in English; except for "Kumulau." The melodies retain a slight R&B presence and lounge jazz sensibility that is refreshing, urban, and pop-focused. There are some danceable tunes with vocals not too unlike Nelly Furtado. A bouncy piano rhythm makes an appearance (along with Caleb Keolanui) on "Love's In The Melody." "Trouble" is a nod to South American alternative pop and electronica with a sassy reggae edge. While, "Make It To Morning," "Fallin' Again," "Lullabies," and "Shine" resemble the harmonic structures of The Beu Sisters' early work. Kimie's album contains equal parts of dance, electronica, guitar pop, reggae, and alternative genres for a great musical journey. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Green's 'Hawai'i '13'

The Green
Hawai'i '13
Easy Star Records

A reggae group from Hawaii? You bet. This is the third album from Hawaii's best reggae crooners and groovers. The music is steeped in Hawaiian culture and Jamaican reggae. The opening track, "He Mele No Ku'u Hawai'i," is a traditional Hawaiian chant that begins the musical experience. The rest of the tracks contain smooth, reggae grooves and stellar vocals. The keys, guitars, drums, and bass are top-notch throughout. There is a sense of soul and funk to the mix. Anyone with a good sound system will benefit from the smooth sounds and gliding bass lines. This is contemporary reggae from an island, but it is located far from reggae's beginning in Jamaica. Hawai'i '13 is a number one album all the way around. It's that simple. Reggae fans with an adventurous edge will love The Green. Get it today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Na Palapalai's 'Ha'a'

Na Palapalai
Ha'a
Mountain Apple Company

Formed in 1995 in Hilo, Hawaii, Na Palapalai makes beautiful, sweepingly melodious, and folk-tinged music with all the glitz and glammer Hawaiian music is known for. This is not your average tourist-minded music, because there is authenticity and depth in the musical instruments and harmonic vocals. Ha'a is named for hula and to be humbled. The yodel-esque, vocal calisthenics of "Ka 'Ohaohala" are energetic, along with the steel guitars. There is a classic resonance to the music overall. Besides vocals, the steel guitar, bass, ipu, and piano are featured on the album. Twelve tracks round out the album with a rousing set of danceable tunes that are pure Hawaiian folk. The spritely melodies and sparkling steel strings resemble the lazy days of a summer afternoon, but Na Palapalai are not lazy with the musicianship here. Liner notes include Hawaiian and English translations. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Green's 'Ways & Means'

The Green

Ways & Means

Easy Star Records

Hawaii's The Green is a pop-reggae band that infuses modern reggae roots with rock, jazz, and island flavors. 'Decisions' is a bit of a reggae-dance hit with similarities to Sweden's Ace Of Base and Maroon 5. Thirteen other hits round out the track-list with obvious nods to reggae's biggest stars, though The Green writes and composes original material. The pop-driven 'Gotta Be' is pure gold. The title track, 'Ways & Means,' takes a laid-back approach to reggae songwriting with a slower tune and vocals indicative of St. Lucia's Taj Weekes. The English lyrics and reggae-based repertoire borders on rock, folk, pop, and dance, which never seems to be a challenge for these guys. The pop hooks and clever looks make The Green stand-out among the reggae roster of the world. Ways & Means is the best new music to be released in the reggae genre this year! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jake Shimabukuru's 'Gently Weeps'

Jake Shimabukuru

Gently Weeps

Hitchhike Records

The precursor to Jake Shimabukuru's 2009 Live, Gently Weeps is a 2006 studio production of ukulele with additional instruments including bass, drums, keyboards, steel guitar, electric guitar, and strings. The classic songs 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', 'Ave Maria', 'Sakura', 'The Star Spangled Banner', 'Misty', and 'Spain' are all instrumental renditions. The other songs are original compositions and mostly instrumental. However, one vocal track exists of 'Wish On My Star'. The singer is Jennifer Perri. Jake's jazzy, up-tempo rhythms and precise playing abilities on the ukulele shine throughout. Gently Weeps can be a metaphor of swaying palm trees on a sandy ocean beach, or the tears running down listener's cheeks. In this case, they are tears of joy. Gently Weeps is an album of soulful, mournful, serene, and sometimes frenetic moments. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jake Shimabukuro and the Ukulele: Live!

Jake Shimabukuro

Live

Hitchhike Records

Hawaiian-born Japanese American, Jake Shimabukuru, is the new face of ukulele pop. Shed your hula skirts and straw hats and enjoy the ukulele maestro live and in concert. Jake performs original songs, as well as renditions of popular and classic songs, including the late-Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', J.S. Bach's 'No. 4 in D Minor', Chick Corea's 'Spain', and George Harrison's 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'. Jake inserts limited commentary on some of the songs and his rise to stardom on Youtube.com. Live culls solo performances of ukulele from Japan, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Colorado. This is not your typical sleepy, dreamy ukulele music. Jake plays the ukulele with such ferocity, virtuosity, and tenderness, that it stands in world all its own. The Japanese-tinged 'Sakura Sakura' is an attempt at playing the ukulele with the mastery and likeness of a thirteen-stringed Japanese koto. The entire album features an absence of musical instrumentation beyond the ukulele and sung vocals are nonexistent. All in all, Jake takes the beach out of the ukulele and replaces it with a concert hall. A great change indeed. ~ Matthew Forss