CD Reviews: Pekelo and Mailani

LISTEN: Pekelo

Classics

A compilation of two albums originally released in 1992 and 1994, this new album is a great introduction to Pekelo Cosma’s slack key and paniolo stylings, for anyone who hasn’t heard of him. It includes his most well-known song, “Going to Hana, Maui,” and the addition of tracks such as “Aloha o Hana” and “Hana No Ka Oi” makes the album work as a love letter to that tiny Maui community, Pekelo’s hometown. Solid stuff.

Listen: Mailani

Aina

Mailani’s second album is a collection of pocket-size pleasures. Mostly covers, these songs get by on her warm voice and a generally mellow atmosphere. Mailani’s take on Jon Osorio and Randy Borden’s classic “Hawaiian Eyes,” for example, doesn’t feature the original’s distinctive flutes, but still manages a jolt of nostalgia. And while her “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” lacks U2’s stadium-size emotion, it’s still a nice way to pass four minutes and 21 seconds.