Music Review

Amy Hanaiali‘i, Generation Hawai‘i, Hanaiali‘i Records

It’s been six years since Amy Hanaiali‘i released a proper studio album, a long time for fans to wait for her inimitable ha‘i falsetto singing. Now that Generation Hawai‘i has been released, the good news is that Hanaiali‘i’s Voice, capital V, has only gotten richer and more self-assured, as it has on every release since her 1995 debut album, Native Child.

Part of Hanaiali‘i’s genius has always been in the musical company she keeps, and producer Michael Ruff proves up to the challenge. He’s a talented composer, creating traditional, hummable melodies for Hanaiali‘i’s Hawaiian-language lyrics, and his production manages to be warm without being slick. The results are as good as anything in her award-winning catalog. “Anahaki,” Hanaiali‘i’s cheerful tale of love, deserves to be on repeat in your stereo, and “Napua” is a touching tribute to her grandmother, Jennie Napua Woodd.

Generation Hawai‘i is by and large a traditional Hawaiian music collection, but Hanaiali‘i nails a range of vocal styles: Hawaiian falsetto on “Rain Kilikilihune,” percussive Tahitian chanting on “Tahiti Nui” and jazz balladry on “In Hilo Town.”

BOTTOM LINE:
Generation Hawai‘i showcases one of Hawai‘i’s greatest musical artists at the top of her game.

“Rain Kilikilihune”

“Anahaki”

To purchase this album, please visit http://store.mountainapplecompany.com/Generation+Hawaii.

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