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Featured CD

Keali'i Reichel - Melelana

   
Rating:

Reviewed July 2000 by Stevo - See how our 'Coconut' rating system works below.

Music Style - Contemporary Hawaiian Music

Just when you thought Keali'i could not top his previous accomplishments, he comes through with another smash hit Contemporary Hawaiian CD. Melelana swept the 2000 Hoku Hanahano awards, winning the following awards:

I never thought I'd love any Keali'i CD as much as his debut smash hit Kawaipunahele, but I must admit that Melelana is just as good. I mentioned on my review of Kawaipunahele that the reason I love Keali'i's music is that it makes me feel good. It doesn't matter what kind of a day I am having...when I put on Melelana, brudah, I'm feeling fine.

Mele A Ka Pu'uwai is a beautiful mele written by Brandon 'Illahi Paredes that is both touching and relaxing. It describes affection and appreciation of a teacher. The tone changes quickly on the next song, Ipo Lei Momi. Get ready to hop up and dance with this one. Read the English translation in the liner notes to your significant other and you'll be guaranteed a good time tonight ;-) .

I was pleased that Keali'i added Steven Curtis Chapman's I Will Be Here to the CD. I have always enjoyed the music of Steven Curtis Chapman and hearing Keali'i sing this song was a treat. The title cut, Melelana is a relaxing lullaby in the classic Keali'i Reichel vocal and guitar style. Hanohano 'O Maui is a finger snapping mele describing the beauty of the Valley Isle of Maui. The Road that Never Ends is dedicated to people in love and about to get married. It describes the love between a man and a woman. My wife's eyes get misty whenever she hears it.

The CD contains the following:

I want to note a couple other things I enjoyed about the CD. First of all, the liner notes, CD graphics, and photography are some of the best I've ever seen. The liner notes deservedly won the 2000 Liner Notes Hoku Award. Secondly, the CD has a special bonus for computer users. It contains special video messages by Keali'i describing each mele and all the Lyrics in English and Hawaiian. A pictorial scrapbook and 2 music videos are also included. Like everything Keali'i and his team does, the software is top-notch.

By the way, Keali'i has perhaps the best Hawaiian Artist site on the web at http://www.kealiireichel.com/. We have marked it as one of our Da Best sites, so you won't want to miss it.

This is a 5 coconut CD, a 'must' addition to your Hawaiian Music collection. You probably already own it, but if you don't, you'll want to pick it up.

How our rating system works

5 Coconuts - These CD's are must have CD's that every Hawaiian Music fan should have in their collection. They are classics that you will play over and over for years. The quality of the music is excellent.
4 Coconuts - These CD's are highly recommended. Although they are not necessarily classics, most Hawaiian Music Fans will really enjoy them.
3 Coconuts - These are CD's that some people will love, but others will not care for as much. Overall, though, they contain good quality music and are a nice addition to your collection.
2 Coconuts - These are good CD's, but won't appeal to everyone.
1 Coconut - These CD's would only appeal to a small percentage of people... like the artist's auntie ;-)

Because a large percentage of our e-mail are requests for CD recommendations, our reviews will typically focus on CD's ranked 4 and 5 coconuts, with a few 3 coconut CD's sprinkled in.