Island Lion (Island Lion, 2007)

*GUEST REVIEW*
Part roots and part dancehall with some dub and ska thrown in and lyrics mainly conscious with an occasional shock of slackness, this disc by Pau Hana covers a lot of ground. If their Hawaiian origins aren't clear from their name, the frequent good-time sway of their music brings the point home. The opening "Party Going On" is a good indicator of what you're in for, but this band has more in mind than just letting it all hang out. With such songs as "Fight if We Must" and "Feast or Famine," they effectively take on some truth and justice subject matter that makes the lighter fare sound trivial. Still, their playing, singing and deejaying chops are all solid enough that they come across as committed no matter what the songs address. And when they make the reggae sound their own by lacing "Dippin' in the Lolo" and "In the Mood" with riffing on ukulele and what sounds like slack-key guitar, the spell they cast is a binding one. Pau Hana bring their various elements together with sass and style that's not always seamless but stands strong in the big picture.

- Tom Orr