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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, October 24, 2008

ISLAND SOUNDS
One Right Turn has quadruply big debut

By Wayne Harada

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

One Right Turn's box set includes a group album as well as three solo discs, one for each of its members: Former Opihi Picker Imua Garza, his wife, Tiffa Garza, and her sister, Connie Cruz.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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One Right Turn, a new vocal trio with deep roots in Island music, makes an auspicious debut with a boxed set of four CDs — one by the group and three solo CDs by each member of the combo.

Imua Garza, formerly of the Opihi Pickers, is a key player here; he also produced all the CDs. His wife, Tiffa Garza, and her sister, Connie Cruz, are siblings of the Cruz brothers who include John, Ernie and Guy Cruz.

It's a historic and impressive cruise by the Garza-Cruz 'ohana. Each disc comes with vital and revealing lyrics and liberal displays of photos, with producer Imua Garza executing a sound package. Reviews follow, but for more information, go to www.onerightturn.com or www.megapress.com. On the latter site, click on One Right Turn.

"Lean on My Shoulder" by One Right Turn; One Hawaii

• Genre: World music, contemporary.

• Distinguishing notes: One Right Turn is not a traffic advisory; it is a musical family offering a tuneful journey on the highway of life.

The members write music as a collaborative team and alone. One Right Turn is ambitious in that a major four-disc box set marks the debut of the group and also showcases the three individuals with solo CDs that magnify the wonder of their new music.

The disc is ballad-strong, largely about the vagaries and vitality of love, poised with listener-friendly elements.

Among the 12 tracks by the group, several stand out:

• "Lean on My Shoulder," a Tiffa Garza original, with a sweet and accessible solo voice, that offers solace in a time of need — a very personal and personable message suited for these stressful times.

• "Look Across the City," an Imua Garza composition, a folksy, guitar-accompanied postcard about the need for love in a fulfilled life.

• "Letter," another Tiffa lament of unrequited love, with a plea for honesty despite the hurt.

• "Played Out," a Connie Cruz creation, explores the pain of a relationship, and an unstated call for healing.

• Our take: An impressive debut by a prolific 'ohana with a touch-the-soul acoustic posture — and a bright future.

Sample song: "Memory" by One Right Turn

"Imua" by Imua Garza of One Right Turn; One Hawaii

• Genre: World music, contemporary.

• Distinguishing notes: Imua Garza's first solo CD (you know him from his stint with the Opihi Pickers) is a leaping update to his earlier years as an 'ukulele whiz and singer. He wrote all the music here.

Here, he delves into a light-rock mode as he provides bounce and beats on "Fire Sparks," "Forever Yours" and "Life's a Vapor."

"Your Love" is a change-of-pace ballad with sedate, nocturnal moods.

"Changed Man" perhaps sums up life as auteur and artist: The premise is about a romantic relationship, but the lyrics also describe his stance: "There's been a change in me … Believe me as I stand right here and tell you I'm a changed man."

• Our take: An inspired collection of tunes that help make a difference — in how you live and love and interact.

Sample song: "Fire sparks" by Imua Garza

"Connie Cruz" by Connie Cruz of One Right Turn: One Hawaii

• Genre: World music, contemporary.

• Distinguishing notes: Connie Cruz front-and-center puts her own spin on the romantic jukebox — offering a treasure-trove of love songs in a diverse styles.

"No Pain in Surrender" and its exploration of give-and-take relationships has a provocative blues undercurrent; "Who's Fighting?" is a plaintive ballad exploring breakups; "Did It Hurt to Fall?" personalizes a chilling reality — life sans main squeeze is lemon without the ade.

• Our take: A nice mix of melodies and lyrics, examining love in all its veils.

Sample song: "Like I Do" by Connie Cruz

"Tiffa Garza" by Tiffa Garza of One Right Turn: One Hawaii

• Genre: World music, contemporary.

• Distinguishing notes: Tiffa's "Place of Peace," with husband Imua providing a duet voice, is rich with emotion and purpose, and could evolve into a signature.

The CD maintains an acoustic framework, with melodic pleasures galore — "Not My Own," "Joy in My Eyes," "Beloved" — that reflect a passion for performing and an honest appreciation of the rhythms of life.

• Our take: Yet another charming voice and talent awaiting acclaim.

Sample song: "Beloved" by Tiffa Garza

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.