Hawaii Record Revue: Ukulele Stylings & Na Leo Pilimehana

A new CD by Pa'ani Records celebrates the ukulele, the Portuguese gone-Hawaiian musical instrument. Produced by Freddie Von Paraz, 'Ukulele Stylings features the top young and old `ukulele players of traditional and modern music. Troy Fernandez, whose family is enriched with a long tradition of Portuguese Hawaiian music, offers contemporary stylings developed through his association with the Ka`au Crater Boys. Kelly De Lima of Kapena provides a youthful twist, as does Herb Ohta Jr., and Andy Sexton of Simplisity. Legendary `ukulele players on `Ukulele Stylings are Moe Keale, Sonny D and Peter Moon. The CD also introduces a fine `ukulele player, Daniel Baduria and features legendary steel guitarist Jerry Byrd. The release of `Ukulele Stylings is being celebrated in cooperation with Sonny D `Ukuleles, which is holding drawings for custom `ukuleles at major record outlets throughout Hawai`i. The custom ukes feature rosewood keyboards, koa tops, backs and necks, binding maple and 18 kt. gold tuning keys.

Na Leo Pilimehana is an award-winning, all-girls Hawaiian band with lively songs of our times. Lehua Kalima, Angela Morales and Nalani Choy blend their voices completely as they sing their own compositions, as well as the music of their favorite composers such as Lionel Ritchie and many local songwriters. In a tune written by Na Leo Pilimehana's own Nalani, she sings about the distance many Hawaiians feel between their more simple native lifestyle and the material values that seems overwhelming around them: Here in the rising tide, hoping only to survive. Well maybe I just don't got the hunger, but its hard to keep from going under. Wondering how they got plenty, while most of us got hardly any. And I'm still trying to get by. All of the songs are upbeat in their presentation and pleasant, from ballads to dance tunes. Lehua Kalima writes about morning sun peeking through my window, like waking up to your smile every day. The CDs are available in Hawai`i record stores.