Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 11, 1 November 2004 — Spread the word about the new Caz CD, but shhh, don't tell [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Spread the word about the new Caz CD, but shhh, don't tell

By Manu Boyd

Never judge a book by its cover - or a CD for that matter. Because if you don't flip over the recent CD release "Some Call It Aloha ... Don't Tell," and see the smiling faces of the duo synonymous with contemporary Hawaiian music, you'd think, perhaps, that the project featured the sultry sounds of an island woman. Sparkling with gold bracelets in a quieting "Shhh" gesture, Hawaiian language kumu 'Ekela Kanī'aupi'o-Crozier, seems to be saying, "He feva na'u, ke 'olu'olu, einei, mai ha'i iā ha'i — I have a favor, please, hey you, don't tell anyone." Her secret? The long-awaited release from Hawai'i's most prolific musical duo, The Brothers Cazimero. Sixteen tracks are generously offered up by brothers Robert Uluwehionapuaikawekiuokalani and Roland Kanoeokalani Cazimero, who have even re-recorded their own Sunday Mānoa hits "Pua

Līlia," and "Hawaiian Lullaby," breathing new life into classics recorded 30-plus years ago. "We re-did Pua Līlia in the studio," says producer and Mountain Apple Company owner Jon de

Mello. "But when we listened to the live

recording from this past Lei Day concert at the shell, we went with it. The energy was awesome." "Hawaiian Lullaby," a long-standing staple in Caz productions usually danced by "third brother" Leinā'ala Kalama Heine, is beautifully re-worked, although the Sunday Mānoa version remains a radio favorite. Stand-outs among the album's new original songs are "Ka Ua Kilihune" by Korey Keola Chock, expressing love for the fragrant pakalana blossom, insisting that "Eia ka manawa no kou ho'i mai," (now is the time for your return). Robert's "Pili I Ka Pu'uwai" and "Mahina Poepoe" are also among the new mele. The latter, a tribute to the full moon, is l languid, easygoing, romantic and perfect for hula. \ Roland's "Fly Me to the Moon" illustrates the \ younger brother's gift as both a lyricist and guitar \ virtuoso. \ Kī'ope Raymond, the Maui-based kumu 'ōlelo \ Hawai'i (Hawaiian language teacher) composed a i powerful new pieee that expresses overwhelming See CAZ on page 18

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CAZ from page 1 0 sentiments of love and longing. Set to music by Robert, who performs the vocals and piano, " 'Ilolialoha " is poignant to say the least, and could easily be a contender for music awards next year. Enhanced with vocal back-up by Robert's Hālau Nā Kamalei and guest instrumentalists Jeff "Chips" Au Hoy, Glen Smith, Ken Makuakāne and Sean Thibadeaux, The Caz presents "Some Call Ii Aloha ... Don't Tell," with what de Mello describes as "relaxed confidence that comes from experience." With three dozen recordings to date and at least two dozen Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards under their belts, the well-seasoned Cazimeros continue to lead the way for high-quality recordings of contemporary Hawaiian music. For online information on Caz recordings, visit www.mountainapplecompany.com. ■