Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 7, 1 July 1997 — NLP's "Colours": Brilliant talents, vibrant compositions [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NLP's "Colours": Brilliant talents, vibrant compositions

by Manu Boyd Like the word association game where one word will trigger another, so ean songs suggest entertainers whose illustrious careers have earned them places in our hearts and minds. "Hi'ilawe?" Gabby Pahinui; "Ku'u Ipo i ka He'e Pu'eone?" Brothers Caz; "Pua 'Ahihi?" K-Lake Trio; and

"'Alika? " Aunty Genoa Keawe. But for the younger set, mention tunes Uke "Loeal Boys," "Friends," or Flying with Angels," and I'll bet few would miss the mark: "Nā Leo Pilimehana," nahenahe Hawai-

ian voices that blend with warmth. The dynamic, award-winning trio of Lehua Kalima, Nālani Choy and Angela Morales has gamered an impressive string of accomplishments since their victory in the loea

talent search, "Brown Bags to Stardom," as seniors at Kamehameha Schools in the mid-80s. The group, noted for their crisp harmonies and angelic voices, released five albums locally and one intemationally, signed a recording contract with Sony Japan, hit #10 on Billboard's World Music Chart, anel eamed a constellation of coveted Nā Hōkū Hanohano (the stars of dis-

tinction) Awards, the loeal version of the Grammys. This spring, NLP released "Colours," their fifth loeal recording in a dazzling career of more than a dozen years. "Colours" offers a close-up, personal view of Kalima, Choy and Morales through a eolleetion of brand-new compositions. Kahma, awardwinning composer of "Flying With Angels," the cover-tune of 1996 multi-Hōkū winner, showcases

eight new songs including one composed in Hawaiian for the majestic chffs of Windward O'ahu, "Nani no ke Ko'olau." "Taro Patch Twist" by Kalima celebrates the kalo farming hfe of Kia Fronda, a notable Waipi'o VaUey kupa 'āina. Morales and Choy have two and three origi- ^ nals, respectively, including "Colors Within

1 heu- fcyes by Morales ana her husband, Ricardo. Inspired by the tragedy of the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing, the hner notes read, "We must always remember the ehUdren are our future...we need to care and ► nurture before innoeenee becomes extinct." Choy's "Two Souls" is a powerful tribute of

love to her husband of 13 years. The cover design is eye-catching with "Pegge Hopper" all over and three mu'umu'u-clad figures, one stmmming a guitar poised on a stretch of white sand beach. Liner notes and lyrics are like personal diary entries where eaeh composer reveals her innermost thoughts and feelings, great packaging. "Colours" is easy hstening music that'll surely

make you 'ono for more. Like their name suggests, "the voices that blend with warmth," this is a "feel good" project from the hearts of young, talented 'oiwi who have achieved world-class notoriety. Pōmaika'i kākou nā Hawai'i me kēia mākana hiwahiwa o nēia hui mele kalena loa nei, 'o ia 'o Nā Leo Pilimehana, he mau leo e ho'opumehana mai . ana i loko ou. I mua!

[?]