Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 6, 1 June 1997 — Hula Record's latest: reminiscent, fresh [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hula Record's latest: reminiscent, fresh

by Manu Boyd Hula Records is celebrating Hawai'i's "Champagne Lady" Myra Enghsh and award-winning falsetto singer Akoni Malacas with new CD releases. With Don McDiarmid Jr. and Donald "Flip" McDiarmid III at the helm, Hula Records continues to show off Hawaiian talent to audiences near and far. Best of the Champagne Lady is •

a CD of re-released signature tunes of English one of the islands' premiere entertainers. Known for her powerful voice and kolohe charm, the Mauiborn vocalist is sure to dazzle you with familiar classics. "Ku'u Sweetie" is a

flirtatious song on the skills of love making, co-composed by Maddy Lam and Kawena Pukui. Vicky 'Ī'ī Rodrigues salutes the Hilo-based radio station, "KHBC" (forerun-

ner of KPUA) and the wonder of electricity. David Inciong and Val

Kamapua'a," hails the verdure of Nu'uanu Valley, domain of the legendary kupua. But Myra's mega hit, "Drinking Champagne" composed by Texas radio person-

ality oill Maek, is as provocative and "intoxicating" as it was when she first released it in the 1960s. It was that song whieh earning her the moniker, "Champagne

Lady." Where ean you find Myra English today? If not at her "day job" at the Hawai'i State Legislature, or touring the world, or singing at the Merrie Monarch or trotting down Kalākaua Ave. in

pa'ū parade unit, you're guaranteed to catch the "Best of the Champagne Lady" on this hot CD anthology. Ku'u Aloha iā Māmā is Akoni Malacas' debut of predominantly original tunes he penned along with family and friends. "Hawaiian Rumba," by Akoni and "Mama" Ida Kahele

Maiacas, won mm top nonors at tne Kindy Sproat FaIsetto Singing and Storytelling contest in Kohala, Hawai'i. Raised by his grandparents in Waipi'o Valley, Akoni salutes his family home in his composition, "Waipi'o." Malacas

revives the fond memories of a fishing village onee located off of Sand Island near Māmala (Honolulu Harbor) in "Mokuoeo," a traditional mele from the eolleehon of Muriel Lupenui. Another memorable song is "Pua Loke," a lei of yellow rose blossoms that entwines with maile lauli'i to fashion a fragrant adornment. Akoni's talents in hīmeni leo ki'eki'e (falsetto singing), hula and musical composition are a fine tribute to his kūpuna — a heartfelt expression of aloha for "Māmā." Hana hou!

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