[.ca] Keiki O Ka Aina

fun music, beautifully sung. Makes me want to hula.:
Very beautiful hawaiian music

Keiki o ka Aina (Children of the land):
You can guess Robi has been steeped in the tradition of local music, but her father is a jazz bassplayer so Robi early on was exposed to all sorts of music and different places. She actually earned a small living giving ukulele lessons in Boston. You can take the girl out of Hawai'i, but you can't take Hawai'i out of the girl. She's a crackseed, pickled mango girl, whose music is woven through the rich tapestry of everyday life in the islands. Because music is still such an important part of everyday life in Hawai'i, you will hear her singing in all sorts of places there, from rodeos to clubs to opening celebrations for canoe races. Here, Robi shares a broad musical vista. The songs, more like "mele" as Robi sings them, are a celebration of the love of aina, the people and the land. The tone is set with the opening song "Na Mo'olelo Kahiko" which is an invitation to gather and listen to the stories of the ancient days. We learn first of a man eater who wore a cape to conceal he had the mouth of a shark, then of Puapualenalena the strange dog who made Waipi'o happy, and of Umi the famous ruler who was an awesome surfer and a famous, caring king. And thereafter the verdant landscape is alive with the grace of "Nani Ko'olau" and as gentle as clouds moving across the face of the moon in "He Po Lani Makamae" My personal favorites especially include "Himene Tatarahapa," a song set down by the great Federic Delord becoming one of the first of his many compositions taken up as Tahitian church music, celebrated here with joy and grace just as it should be. Robi has her dad and his friends deliver a great version of "Na Lei O Hawai'i" (Song of the Islands), a sample of the kind of music that did the most to first popularize Hawaiian music back in the 40's, electric steel guitar waltzing in to a coronet melody, brushes whisking the cymbals, some bongo and jazzy piano, just the kind of song that got everyone in the old dance clubs first dancing to Hawaiian music. Famous for her work with Hawaiian Style Band, a group that broke on the scene to enthusiastic and genuine local response. They mixed the rich Hawaiian traditions with newer rhythms when played on more modern instruments but brought back the feeling of the old style music and renewed the whole notion of real "aloha." Imagine a song just released a few days prior by Hawaiian Style Band coming over the radio in a gas station on the Queen's Highway in Kealakekua and all the people in their gas station uniforms and the customers waiting to pay for their gas start smiling and singing along. Also featured on this record, among the more famous names are the Ka'au Crater Boys, the Makaha Sons, and Cyril Pahinui. Adding guitar work here is young "B.B." Shawn Ishimoto. You can't actually see how he holds his guitar on the record, but he usually plays guitar lap style. (That used to be "B.B." for blind boy, but he's since recognized what his friends knew all along, he's been granted a most special form of inner music vision, so now he's known as "Shawn." He was about 19 or 20 when this was recorded). Plenty more of great island talent here all mixed up, and including a chant by Kekuhi Kanahele. Great record! Good introduction to Sister Robi. Five "hoku" because this has heart.

Her most original and traditional CD...:
Robi's second release (Keiki O Ka 'Aina, meaning Children Of The Land) is her most original and traditional CD. The Hawaiian songs include: "Na Mo'olelo Kahiko (Keiki O Ka 'Aina La)" which shares the ancient stories of the islands. "Nani Ko'olau" is a romantic song. "Ku'u 'I'ini Mai Ka Lani" talks about a love for family. "He Po Lani Makamae" is another romantic song. "Himene Tatarahapa" is a religious song about the Lord's return. "He Lei Aloha No Ke Keiki" honors a family's reunion. The other songs are in English, with my favorite being the reggae style "Dreamland," which makes me think of The Swiss Family Robinson. :) "Firelady" has chanting by female singer Kekuhi Kanahele, and recalls Hawaii's gradually fading natural beauty, with lines like, "There's an island, green and pretty Turned gray with concrete city..." and "Flow over concrete that would hide the sun..." There's also an added piece of talking after the last track. This CD is so peaceful. I love it!

Brings me to the Islands:
On a trip to Maui, my husband heard this CD while lounging at a beach cafe'. He liked it so much, we bought it before we left Hawaii. We play it a lot, and every time we hear it, we are transported back to the islands. Robi has a beautiful voice. This is "feel good" music that lifts our spirits every time we hear it. I highly recommend it, even for those who have not been to Hawaii. It will make you want to go.

• NaMo'olelo Kahiko (Keiki O Ka 'Aina La)
• Nani Ko'olau
• Whatever's Written In Your Heart
• Ku'u 'I'ini Mai Ka Lani
• You Need Somebody
• He Po Lani Makamae
• Dreamland
• Firelady
• Himene Tatarahapa
• He Lei Aloha No Ke Keiki
• Every Child A Promise
• Na Lei O Hawai'i (Song Of The Islands)
• Panina