aloha got soul
Jazz
Another DJ Muro Gem: Legacy’s “Sun Goddess”
Updated Sept. 6, 2011
While my focus for Aloha Got Soul as a Hawaiian music blog is 1970s and 1980s Hawaiian funk, soul, and jazz music, I’m wide open to anything outside that (very narrow) spectrum. And I’m always excited to make a new discovery about the DJ Muro Hawaiian Breaks mix. That’s why the following came as such a welcome surprise.
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I just fell in love…
…and it was inevitable. Ever since I heard that 30-second clip of Lui Williams’ “Oh, Oh (Think I’m Falling in Love)”, I had a sense that the rest of the song would be just as enjoyable (and, at 3 minutes 45 seconds, much more gratifying). It’s possible that Lui dubbed his own vocals for the chorus, but my best guess is…he didn’t. The recording sounds entirely live, so a sideman probably backed him up. (I don’t own the LP or CD, nor do I have the liner notes.)
Still can’t get enough of the near-constant guitar riffing that makes the mood so loose and laid back! Thanks to kofn1 for uploading! [Youtube :: Twitter :: Blog]
Oh, oh, I think I’m falling in love
Oh, oh, I think I’m falling in love
I would like to know what it’s like to be in love
I would like to know what it’s like to be cared for
Is it true, what they say, when you find the one you love?
She should be the only one that you’re thinking of
Oh, oh, I think I’m falling in love
Oh, oh, I think I’m falling in love
The way that I feel, I don’t know that it should be
A love of this kind that was meant for only me
Is is true, what they say, when you find the one you love?
She should be the only one that you really love
Oh, oh, I think I’m falling in love
Oh, oh, I think I’m falling in love
That’s the way it should be when you find the one you love
She should be the only one that you really love
Oh, oh, I think I’m falling in love
Oh, oh, I think I’m falling in love…
Momi – Borne in a Faint Streak of Light
Such beautiful music fills the grooves of Momi’s Borne in a Faint Streak of Light. Released in 1979 on CRI Recording (a private label?), the LP is layered with swaying horns, crisp drumming, delicate harping and Momi’s child-like, angelic voice.
Each track sounds like it descended upon Earth via a falling cloud. Not that the music moves slowly, but Momi and her band of divine messengers play with the warming energy of the sun and the gentle touch of the breeze. Like I said, it’s a beautiful thing to hear.
Momi (Diane Leimomi Riley) was about 23 when Borne was released. The album has been described as warm folk-psych, or even soul music. I’d say it’s roots are in jazz, with a touch of funk/psych and some reggae for good measure (see: “Lambsbread”). Despite the labels, Borne is one hell of an album. It’s heavenly, I mean, and outstanding for someone so young.
All songs arranged by Momi Riley. Produced by Jim Riley (James Weston Riley?) & Momi and friends. Backup musicians include:
Bobby Potter, tenor sax, sax, flute
Rick Myrick, lead guitar, backing vocals (“Baby’s Blue”)
David Moore, bass, synthesizer (“Windows in the Sun”)
Beverly LeBeck, cello (“Sunrise”)
Robert Lokomaika’i o Kalani Snakenberg, Hawaiian translation of “Shine”
Here’s the back cover:
Babadu – Babadu!
When you live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, you wake up everyday and it’s beautiful outside. When you live in the Pacific Northwest, summer stops by for two months or so. The rest of the year you wake up and it’s gray, dreary and rainy outside.
That’s why I like Babadu. His music is sunny (do I use that term too much?), and it’s reminiscent of the happy, heavenly sound of Stevie Wonder, whose songs are always full of joy (or joyous sorrow). Babadu even grunts and shouts, just like Stevie. One listen and I feel like smiling—even if the blue sky is nowhere to be seen in Portland, Oregon.
His LP was produced by Kirk Thompson, one of the original members of Kalapana. Thompson’s “All I Got to Give” stands out as one of the best tracks on the album. It’s a jazzier, cooler version than Lemuria’s (whose LP Thompson also produced). But unlike Lemuria’s female vocalist, Babadu sounds like he really believes in this song. His voice convinces me that his soul is reaching out with every lyric. While the Lemuria version is funky, it doesn’t move me emotionally (it’ll get me dancing though).
Lui Williams + a confession
I started ALOHA GOT SOUL out of a passion for this music. Every album I blog about is not in my record collection, and I don’t have a library of knowledge stored in my head either. I’m here because I want to learn more, discover great music and share what I find. In the future I’ll own these records if I’m lucky to come across them!
Which brings me to the album Lui, by Maui guitarist Lui Williams. What the full album sounds like is a mystery to me. So far I’ve come across two snippets: “My Lover” and “Oh, Oh (I Think I’m Fallin’ in Love)”. The first is a laid-back jazz track about longing for a certain someone. This makes me want to walk barefoot in the sand.
On the upbeat side is “Oh, Oh”, with twangy rhythm guitar accented by Lui’s own soloing (I’m guessing). Beyond the chorus is a single lyric, “I would like to know / What it’s like to be in love”. I’d like to know whether Lui dubbed his own vocals, or if background singers are helping him.
Rip Curl Recordings (Japan) recently pressed a limited run of Lui CDs. I have yet to find an online store with any left in stock.
Lui still performs on Maui. Plus, he’s got a MySpace with two nice tracks, “My Maui” and “Paoa Liko Kalehua”. Pretty mean, Lui!
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