Island Sounds will immediately become a first-Friday feature in blogsville and in print, in The Advertiser's TGIF section.
The reviews, of course, focus on Island music.

PALI
"... With Aloha"
Traditional Hawaiian
PK Records Hawaii

Pali, the award-winnig music ensemble composed of Pali Ka’aihue, Mark Kawakami, Bradley Kawakami, Kaleo Van Titcomb and Ken Lykes, goes on a postcard tour of its favorite tunes on this two-disc, tri-fold, 25-song economic stimulus package. Disc 1 is newly recorded items often requested on the group’s tours; “Kawika,” “Hanalei Moon,” “E Huli Makou,” “Wai O Ke Aniani” and “Noho Paipai” and “’Ulupalakua” are gemstones on this bracelet of charms; Disc 2 is a wonderous revisit of earlier-recorded “bests,” ranging from “Pauoa Like Ka Lehua,” “Akaka Falls,” “Haleakala,” and “Ku’u Aloha,” personably and proudly restored. A six-page keepsake booklet provides enlightenment; the packaging is first-rate.

Overview: Like Pali, the mountain, this one towers with its own majestic grace and mana’o; think of it as “postcards for the soul.”

****

TROY FERNANDEZ
"Ride Time"
World, Island Contemporary
Mountain Apple Co.

Troy Fernandez’s most personal release is here, now and wow — a sweet tapestry of what makes him tick, like surfing (“Ride Time,” “Surfing on the East Side”), strumming
‘ukulele (“‘Ukukele Picnic”), family (“Tia,” a mele inoa, or name song, for a daughter; and “You Are My Hero,” an homage to his dad). Tempoes switch from reggae (“Love Is in Her Eyes”) to country and R&B (“Down by the Ocean, Down by the Sea”). And considering all by one of 12 tunes are his (with one collaboration), this is an ambitious, creative and expressive venture, with his characteristic uke strokes happily prevailing.

Overview: Troyful and triumphant, apropos for listening, dancing, pau-surfing fun.

****

AARON J. SALA
Na Po’ona
Mahina: The
Illusion of Reality
World, Hawaiian
Hula Records

Aaron J. Sala (kahako over 2nd a) traverses two worlds, classical music and Hawaiian, and his respect for both is evident in the combination. Sala, who plays piano and ‘ukulele, is a scholar-entertainer whose style has appeal to both the concert stage and hula halau platform. Here, he musically explores reality of moonlight, stars, wind, strolls and more; “Mele O Ke Ke’ena Kalaunu” is rich in oli-style technique; “Po la’ila’i” (kahako over o in Po) is a Mary Puku'i hula favorite revived; and “Sweet Moonlight” is a nocturnal nicety with a western flavor thanks to the keyboard accompaniment. Joyous fun thrives on “Sophisticated Hula” and “Koa’E,” true-blue party tunes. The liner notes, complete with lyrics and translation, is an added amenity.

Overview: Sala’s sophomore CD, following his earlier Na (kahako) Hoku (two kahako) Hanohano Award win, is a reality check on his emerging stardom.

***

DANNY COUCH
"I’ll Remember You"
Island contemporary
Danny Couch Records

In an earlier time in Waikiki, Danny Couch was one of the top-drawing voices; as a lead singer for The Aliis, which accompanied Ho for many years, he had an open window to Don Ho’s music and legacy and a friendship bonded the pair. This homage to the late Island superstar is intended to be a tableaux of the tuneful repertoire that Ho embraced; the reality is that Couch is far better warbler than Ho ever could be, but Ho was the one-of-a-kind entertainer who put his imprint on everything he adopted. Thus, the song parade sashays from the evocative ballads (“Days of My Youth,” “She’s Gone Again,” “I’ll Remember You”) to the atmospheric party faves (“E Lei Kaleilei,” “Pearly Shells,” “Everybody Suck ’em Up”). Couch manages to put his own imprint on “Maka Hilahila” and “A Lover’s Prayer,” songs that open and close the set.

Overview: Danny does Don ... delightfully.

****