New Forte CD
fortifies its positionWith A Child's Heart: Forte (Cinnamon Red)
FORTE is poised to make some big noise with this CD-single. A portion of the proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities-Hawaii and the group is appearing at McD's locations around Oahu. The disc is Forte's most professionally produced project to date.
The title song is a remake of a 1973 Michael Jackson song that stalled at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. Buyers also get two songs from the Forte album: Glenn Medeiros' "Follow The Sun" and a cover of Seduction's "Give My Love To You." A karaoke track version of the title song completes the package.
Replacing the karaoke track with Gissele Tejada's bilingual rendition of "Tu Sonrisa" would have made this a broader sampler, but as a charity fund-raiser and promotional calling card for the group it works quite well. It is on sale at McD's locations though November 3.
A Romantic Night in Hawaii: Gary Aiko and the Legends (Coconut Grove Honolulu)
PRODUCER Jon J. Enos sought to recreate the ambiance of a show Gary Aiko and Sonny Kamahele headlined in 1981. It isn't a "live" recording but it will do (Alan Akaka and Benny Kalama replace other members of the '81 band).
Aiko sings with timeless romantic aplomb. No one surpasses him singing hapa-haole standards these days.
Enos omits composers' credits, publisher information, and any mention of what Aiko and Kamahele have done since 1981, but this album will satisfy fans.
Lord of the Dance: Osman (Thermonuclear Music)
OSMAN'S mini-album showcases his skills as writer, singer, musician, arranger and producer. The credits provide no personal information, but Osman is closer to authentic Afro-Caribbean reggae than to the "Jawaiian" stuff popular here.
Sexual prowess is a recurring topic. "Fit As A Fiddle" defines his ideal woman. "EOL" proclaims him an "equal opportunity lover" ready to satisfy women of all races and nationalities. Singer Cheyenne adds an ethereal second voice to "I Can't Wait."
"Babylon Leggo My Hand" and instrumental "dub" versions of two songs expand this to 8 tracks.
See Record Reviews for some of John Berger's past reviews.
See Aloha Worldwide for locals living away.
John Berger, who has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972, writes reviews of recordings
produced by Hawaii artists. See the Star-Bulletin's Home Zone
section on Fridays for the latest reviews.
