ISLAND SOUNDS
'Hear' polished instrumentals
by Na Hoku winner  

Brittni Paiva lives up to her "most promising" laurels with a sophomore album that soars.

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

• Genre: Instrumentals.

• Distinguishing notes: Brittni Paiva, an extraordinary instrumentalist, won a Na Hoku Hanohano Award for most promising artist earlier this year. This second CD confirms her power and polish as a budding star as she expands her repertoire and her posture as a multitasking 'ukulele soloist, guitarist, bassist and keyboardist. One moment she's rendering a ki-ho'alu co-composition with Keoki Kahumoku on "Blue Slacks Slack Key;" the next she's sizzling on her original " 'Ukulele Boogie." She reinterprets a local fave like "Lahaina Luna," not forgetting her Island roots, and adopts an international manner on "El Condor Pasa." She dares to revisit Leonard Kwan's signature " 'Opihi Moemoe," and her eloquence is her strength — bringing new emotion and breadth to " 'Akaka Falls," waltzing through the jazz seas on "Take Five," even venturing into a quick vocal on "E Lohea Mai," singing a translation by Keoni Kelekolio of a Hawaiian and Hebrew selection from Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

• The outlook: Paiva continues to develop her skills as a performer, making good on her Na Hoku Hanohano victory. With youth on her side, she has a remarkable future ahead.

• Our take: The bud is blossoming into a full flower.

Copyright © 2004 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. All rights reserved.  the.honoluluadvertiser.com

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