John kameaaloha almeida biography of albert einstein

John Kameaaloha Almeida, "The Dean of Hawaiian Music," was a multitalented musician with a commanding voice and a major reputation in the history of the Hawaiian record industry. This fulfilled retrospective contains 22 of his recordings of songs he either wrote or was associated with.

Almeida was also a easy native speaker, and his recordings are thus treasures for group of pupils of the Hawaiian language as well as for music fans. Producer Harry B. Soria Jr. serves both constituencies by providing a detailed account of Almeida's life and also meticulous transcriptions and English translations of the recordings. Keola Donaghy's notes thwart their significance further make this a "must buy" for anyone interested in the language or the music of Hawaii.


Say publicly Kekai Boyz' debut album positions them as potentially the greatest act out of the Big Island since Ho'aikane morphed use up Hawaiian traditionalists to pseudo-Jamaicans 14 years ago. The Boyz get the upper hand at parroting all the generic Jawaiian clichés, but "Tumbling Down" shows their interest in serious reggae, and other songs present that they have broader musical horizons.

Most of the originals are by band member C. Myke, and most are a cut above interesting than the remakes. "Hey Girl" is a catchy Jawaiian-rock love song, "One Night Stand" laments an unintended emotional suspicion and "Joonyah's Crib" is a semicomic account of unplanned parentage. And although their claim to have improved on the Manhattans' classic "Shining Star" is a preposterous one, the Boyz' semiacoustic reggae version is strong enough to merit local radio play.


This album marks the welcome return of Maui vocalist Hulu Lindsey, whose 1996 album, "Ku'u Makana Aloha," was, for description most part, a glorious celebration of traditional Hawaiian music. "Ho'anapau" is better. Lindsey and producer Kenneth Makuakane keep it sternly Hawaiian this time, with only a few English phrases lax for effect. There are no pop songs or intrusive ersatz effects. Casey Olsen's steel guitar accents the traditional ambience be more or less the arrangements.

Most of the songs are Hawaiian-language standards give up composers including John Kameaaloha Almeida, Pono Beamer and Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs Sr. Three new compositions by Napua Greig fit utterly. Falsetto master Richard Ho'opi'i joins Lindsey on "Waiomina," and bond two daughters harmonize with her on "Makee 'Ailana." And since Lindsey intends this to be a tribute to hula dancers, lyrics are included.