honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, June 1, 2007

ISLAND SOUNDS
Stir it up for summer good times

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

spacer spacer
spacer spacer
spacer spacer

"Big Every Time" by B.E.T.; South Pac

  • Genre: Urban Island, world music, reggae.

  • Distinguishing notes: B.E.T. is Tim Troxell (aka Papa T) and Joe Daniels Jr. (aka J.D.), whose origins date back to 1993, when B.E.T. did back-up vocals for such acts as Butch Helemano, Bruddah Walter, and Diane and the Boys. By 1998, the duo's first solo CD was out — and beginning to connect with a wide following.

    This latest entry, to be released Tuesday, is loaded with soul, funk, reggae and the urban underpinnings that have given B.E.T. a wedge of the P-funk and dancehall musical pie. This 15-tune collection is the best of B.E.T. to date — savvy and assured delivery of B.E.T. originals that haunt, move and inspire, with substance beyond tempo and street-cool lingo.

    From the opening track, "Baby R U Ready," to the closing "Indo," there are treasures aplenty. "Daddy's Little Girl" is sweet and reflective; "Make It Right" is bright with energy and verve; "Sugar Tonight" is a sweet and sexy with a measure of soul; "Under the Mango Tree" is storytelling with a resourceful reggae romp.

    Fiji shows up twice ("Cryin 4 Peace," "Hook It Up"), too, so there's additional ammo and allure.

    A liner bursting with lyrics and eye-filling graphics add the extra punch to put B.E.T. in the winner's circle.

  • Our take: Bet on this one, if you haven't already discovered B.E.T.

    Sample song: "Baby R U Ready" by B.E.T.

    "Together We Stand" by Apprentice; Sharpnote

  • Genre: World music, reggae.

  • Distinguishing notes: Apprentice is a reggae-pop act from the Solomon Islands; its take on the Jamaican rhythms are not quite the same as their Hawaiian peers.

    Vocalists Nelson Mamae, Jeff Fafale (also a guitarist) and Ali Fafale (doubling on bass) are joined by musicians Timothy Orudiana, Freddie Fa'arodo, Arnold Natei, Casper Junior Luiramo and Danny Fa'arodo (with single-monikered Ronnie providing background vocals). The group's realm is in the Big Mountain tradition, with skank plus melodic reggae harmonics dominating tracks such as "She Loves," "Say It" and "Mother Earth."

    Other tracks such as "Boys Don't Rush" demonstrate smooth construction and lyricism, with intriguing tempo switches and unpredictable riffs. Since group members wrote all songs, lyrics should have been part of the packaging — it would have been a worthy investment with lasting merit.

  • Our take: Apprentice has something going here; its sound is progressive and powerful.

    Sample song: "Say It" by Apprentice

    "Surf Roots 2" by various artists; Resin Music

  • Genre: Surf music, pop.

  • Distinguishing notes: With summer beckoning, this compilation might be a timely option. This is not your father's surfer-dude music (not the Beach Boys nor the Surfaris, in other words), but there's plenty of beach-, water-, good time-orientation in tracks by Ziggy Marley ("True to Myself"), Common Sense ("A Little Bit Closer"), Diego Roots ("Good Times"), Trevor Hall ("Beautiful Lunatic") and P-Nuckle ("Black Bag Operator") to wipe you out. It's Mainland and global in scope, but heck, Islanders can plug in and ride the wave, too.

  • Our take: For summertime, this is ear candy for the water-oriented.

    Sample song: "True To Myself" by Ziggy Marley

    Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.