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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, September 26, 2008

ISLAND SOUNDS
'Everyday' is a party with the fellas of Ten Feet

By Wayne Harada

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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"Everyday" by Ten Feet; 'Ohana Records

  • Genre: Reggae, world music.

  • Distinguishing notes: "Everyday" is Ten Feet's third album in 13 years, and the five members have had toes firmly entrenched in the reggae-Jawaiian mold all this time. This latest endeavor reflects the musical styles of founders-composers Josiah Kekoa and Andres Delos Santos, who now offer mellowed-out pop-blues stylings, and welcomes newest member Jon Irei, a bassist, who makes his footprints alongside Ericson Carnate and Nathan Martin to complete the Feet brigade.

    Diehards will probably savor the buoyant flavors of "Good," "Sweet Sunlight" and "Tonight" - which recall the classic group sound, with elements of reggae - but a changing soundscape on such tracks as "Little Things," "True," "Back Home" and "Best Friend" happily reflect a somewhat changing profile.

    And among the five covers, "More Than I Can Say" puts Ten Feet in perspective - able to put new onto the classic and still share an enthusiasm for pumping out the freshest sound.

    Interestingly, Ten Feet CDs continue to play up the footsie image instead of displaying the fellas' faces. The feet are purportedly real, each pair belonging to a member, but the bros should consider going beyond ankles and toes.

    Next time, maybe?

  • Our take: If you're ramping up your boogie lu'au, these Feet are made for partying.

    Sample song: "Good" by Ten Feet

    "Hawaiian Slack Key Kings, Vol. II" by various artists; Rhythm & Roots Records

  • Genre: Traditional, contemporary Hawaiian, with slack-key emphasis.

  • Distinguishing notes: This second volume is part of the label's Master Series, culling singers and musicians awaiting full-blown stardom in a 16-tune collection surely to reap a Hawaiian Grammy Award nomination like the original volume.

    Producer Milton Lau, who also is a soloist here, has assembled a stellar roster of masters from the Island galaxy, including Ledward Ka'apana rendering "Fireman's Hula" with ease and efficiency, Maunalua's Bobby Moderow demonstrating his frequent falsetto as he strums "Maunaloa," Nathan Aweau waxing eloquently on "Intermission," Pali's Pali Ka'aihue sharing a wordless contemporary "Supey Aloha," Kaua'i's Paul Togioka creating tranquil images on his instrumental "Anolani," Donald Kaulia's old-fashioned treatment of the beloved "Kane'ohe," Stephen Inglis' jazz-tinged "Redwood Slack Key" with undeniable Island roots, Kevin and Ikaika Brown bringing ethnic seasoning on the delightful "Vaqueros Lullaby," and Makana showing off his voice and finger wizardry, paying tribute to "Uncle Sonny," the late Sonny Chillingworth, his childhood-time mentor.

    A liner booklet, with brief bios of each performer, perhaps with a quickie graph on why the piece was selected for interpretation, would have provided added value to the package.

  • Our take: Lots to admire, lots to explore, lots to applaud.

    Sample song: "Maunaloa" by Hawaiian Slack Key Kings

    "Let's Lu'au" by various artists; Hula Records

  • Genre: Anthology of Island classics with lu'au suitability.

  • Distinguishing notes: This "theme" compilation, collecting titles and vintage performances, pretends that if you throw a lu'au, you might land 'Elua Kane delivering the thematic "You're at a Lu'au Now," Genoa Keawe delivering a cheerful "I Ali'i No 'Oe," the Kahauanu Lake Trio having fun with "One Paddle, Two Paddle," Natalie Ai serenading with "That's the Hawaiian in Me," Nathan Aweau sharing an uncharacteristic (for him) "Just Hang Loose" (without Hapa half Barry Flanagan, of course).

    Paul Shimamoto's "Maui Medley" is a nice touch for Maui visitors; a few Polynesian cuts with drumbeats might dare Mainlanders to replicate a Tahitian dance at home. Or not.

    It's playful fluff here, expressly for visitors in search of a soundtrack for party music once they go home. To magnify the fun, recipes for oven kalua pig and hulihuli chicken are provided amid the liner notes - which not only describe the tunes but also point to their origins.

  • Our take: Hula Records is the master of repackaging, and this one has all the extras you'd expect.

    Sample song: "Good" by Ten Feet

    Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.