ISLAND SOUNDS
Man of steel (guitar) puts spin on old favorites
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
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First-rate musician Greg Sardinha continues his love affair with the steel guitar on the fourth installment of "Hawaiian Steel."
An Arizona-based ki ho'alu artist hops onto the slack-key bandwagon.
And it's Pati time, so gear up for his contagious harmonies and vibes.
"HAWAIIAN STEEL VOL. 4" BY GREG SARDINHA; KEALA RECORDS
Here, he puts his own spin on some familiar faves that don't usually get the instrumental treatment, such as "Ka Nohona Pili Kai," "Honolulu City Lights," "Maka Hilahila," "Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha," "Koke'e" and "Moon of Manakoora." The steel artistry is embellished with guest musicians such as Chino Montero, Mike Kaawa, Ben Vegas, Randy Aloya — and the result is a winning canopy of sound that flashes back to bygone days. His lone composition is from the Internet radio show, "Territorial Airwaves Theme Song."
"Ka Nohona Pili Kai" by Greg Sardinha. Audio sample available in mp3 format. |
"CUT ME SOME SLACK " BY MOON KAHELE; AZ DIGITAL SOUND
"Cut Me Some Slack" by Moon Kahele. Audio sample available in mp3 format. |
"REDEMPTION" BY PATI; VIZZUN ENTERTAINMENT
This outing is a crisp reflection of his talent and savvy, with a title song he wrote that's dance-floor appropriate, an unlikely and surprisingly fluid ballad-with-a-beat reading of Lionel Richie's "Easy" and a cover of "Drift Away," and love-with-a-side-of-momentum tunes such as "I Wanna Love You Tonight," on which Rawsun is featured. O-shen guests on an explosive "Da Mix" and a bonus track, "No Look My Lady" taps Sudden Rush, B.E.T., Ras Simeon and New Flavor. Tight harmonies, splendid studio work all help yield a crisp sound and emotional wattage to spare.
"Redemption" by Pati. Audio sample available in mp3 format. |
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.