Music Scene

Honolulu Advertiser, Friday, December 5, 2008
By Wayne Harada

 

"Aloha Kalikimaka"by Maui Jam; MJ Records

Genre: Island Christmas

Maui Jam is an old-style combo featuring Al Nip, slack-key and 'ukulele strummer and singer; Fea-B-Lei Alcomindras, uke and vocals; Fulton Tashombe, keyboards and upright bass and vocals; Jon Toda, bass, uke and vocals; Kristen Toda, uke; and Paul Marchetti, drums.

Traditional holiday favorites, largely sung in Hawaiian, prevail here, with plenty of spirit to spare. "Christmas Island" features Alcomindras on lead; "Christmas Lu'au" is a group endeavor with chalangalang fervor; "E Aloha E," the underrated Keoho Fujimoto composition, is sweetly revived with its original Hawaiian-English lyrics intact; "Po La'i E (Silent Night)" is showcased with an instrumental verse, followed by Hawaiian and English renderings.

And Eddie and Myrna Kamae and Mary Pukui's classic "Aloha Kalikimaka" (often dubbed "I Love Christmas)" is the essence of Island-style Kalikimaka, with reflection and celebratory joy.

Among other winnahs: "Mele Kalikimaka" and "Hawaiian Santa."

Our take: If you adore a season bright with music, you'll find pleasures and treasures galore.

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