Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 9, 1 September 2000 — Naʻauao CD his best yet [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Naʻauao CD his best yet

By Manu Boyd / / ^ I EUTRALIZE IT ' is Sean Na'auao's latest Wk I solo project, and, judging from the overall I\l packaging and content quahty, his best yet. I Now an affihate of The Mountain Apple » Company, " Neutralize It" has Jon deMello's signature with excellent graphics and photography, although it's produced under Na'auao's own lahel, Poi Pounder Records. His previous recordings include those of the Mana'o Company, and two solo projects, "Fish and Poī' and " Home Grown Hawaiian." Na'auao has eome full circle as a group member, composer, soloist and hit producer (Darren Benitez, Robert Kekaula, 3-Plus' "Honeybaby" and the debut of Mino'aka). With broad appeal and a good mix, his treatment of the Hawaiian cuts is refined and performed with sawy. Credit is given to wife Kau'i and mother-in-law Aloha Dalire, kumu hula of Keolalaulani Hālau 'Ōlapa o Laka, for his augmented attention to 'ōlelo Hawai'i. He also does a great service to composer and family

affiliate Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett whose mele have been recorded by Hawai'i's best. "Ka Pilina" is a haunting performance that seems to suggest the story of Lā'ieikawai, a subject Hewett has beautifully memorialized in other pieces. I "Ka 'ililauokekoa" another woman in I

Hawaiian lore, is presented īn a Tahitianinfluenced melody that plays on the Hawaiian pī'āpā alphapet with a catchy refrain of "a, e, i, o, u, he, ke, la, mu, nu, pi, we." That's Hewett, kumu hula of Kuhai Hālau o Kawaikapuokalani Pā 'Ōlapa Kahiko, in the CD's opening oli. "Pua Lililehua," the Kahauanu Lake

and Kawena Puku ī tnbute to Maiki Aiu Lake, illustrates the beauty of simplicity. A single vocal track, bass, guitar and light synthesizer evenly unfold, telling of the infatuation and deep love for one of Hawai'i's most remarkable women. Another remarkable woman, Princess Ka'iulani, is recalled in poetic expression by her aunt, Queen Lih'uokalani. The performance of "He

Inoa no Ka'iulanī' ensures a new generation of listeners will be familiar with

■ this royal classic I linking the princess I with her ancestors on Kaua'i and Hawai'i. "Kupu 'eu" an original created for Na'auao's son, introduces a new

W genre for this singer a whose uncharacteristic I falsetto perfomrance is i good fiin with a hula appeal. Bob Marley's " Three Little Birds" ("Don 't worr\

about a thing because every little things is gonna be alright)" starts out a eapella and then evolves with regSee NA'AUAO on page 15

Ullli IISIt Hlll

gae-mfluenced mstrumentation, affirming Na'auao's commif nent to music of all kinds. While reggae is definitely a strong suit, he handles Hawaiian, pop and contemporary equally well. In liner notes, Na'auao says that "we ean enjoy Jamaican and Carribbean music as well as other outside influences, and incorporate it into our island music, just remember where we eome from. There is only onee plaee we ean eall home, and that is Hawai'i. Just remember your roots and culture." The Honolulu Advertiser's Wayne Harada review of "Neutralize If hit the nail on the head when he suggested that, by way of affiliation with Jon de Mello and The Mountain Apple Company 'ohana, Na'auao is in good company, and it shows. Prediction: clear off the shelf and make room for those round mementos with stars on them. ■

NA'AUAO From page 11