REVIEW BY JOHN BERGER / jberger@staradvertiser.com
‘The Beginning’
Andrew Molina (Shadow Uke Music)
The list of island families where musical talent has passed from one generation to the next continues to grow. There are the Beamers and the Fardens and the Keawe-Aikos, Ohta-san and Herb Ohta Jr., and Dennis and David Kamakahi. There’s Pete “Dr. Doo Wop” Hernandez and his son, Bruno Mars, Freddy Von Paraz and his daughter, Daphne, and now Jay Molina and his son, Andrew.
Hawaii residents of a certain age know Maui resident Jay Molina as a member of Asian Blend, an “A list” Waikiki club band of the ‘70s, and a founder of Music Magic, a local modern jazz group of the ‘80s. Jay’s instrument of choice has always been the electric bass. Andrew plays ukulele. Father and son share credit for the arrangements.
Andrew opens big with the title song, a rocker that he plays with his full studio band behind him — his father playing bass, plus Mike Kennedy (drums), Alan Villaren (guitar) and Gilbert Emata (keyboards). The selections that follow are a mix. Some are solo performances, on others he’s working with the band or various combinations of musician.
On an original “Feels Like Yesterday,” it’s Molina’s ukulele and the rhythm section. Emata’s assorted keyboards provide appropriately ominous undercurrents to a song titled “Crying Skies.”
Molina and his band also rework a song from the pop charts with an instrumental arrangement of “Just the Way You Are” — Bruno Mars’ first Hot 100 chart-topper.
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John Berger has been a mainstay in the local entertainment scene for more than 40 years. Contact him via email at jberger@staradvertiser.com.