Beamer features the voice of his beloved grandmother on the opening two songs and shares very personal observations on life and nature throughout the album.

Beamer was raised on the Big Island. Much of the album's lyrical content revolves around Beamer's memories. The lovely "Makahonu" describes an encounter with a Hawaiian sea turtle on Punalu'u Beach. Beamer sings the song like a lullabye and his guitar, combined with simple jazz drums and bass, manage to sound like an entire orchestra.

In fact, one could swear there is a string section performing throughout the album. Beamer is actually accompanied only by drummer Noel Okimoto and bassist Dean Taba. Beamer's arrangements are amazingly lush and full-sounding.

A nose flute rounds out the simple instrumentation on "Ke Ha'a 'Ala Puna", a traditional standard. The longtime favorite of hula halau sounds completely fresh and unique given the three-piece treatment.

The Manono Chant (a.k.a. "'E Manono") is sung by Louise Walker Beamer, Beamer's grandmother. He asserts in the album's liner notes (which, by the way, are truly a treat -- they're a brilliant companion to the music): "My grandmother had the sweetest voice in the whole wide world". And, well, he's right. Beamer plays the nose flute and the ipu on the track and gives the chant as much a lift and twist as he does to "Ke Ha'a 'Ala Puna."

Only occasionally do the jazz instruments seem to take over. The album's closing track, "Kalamaikalani," is an instrumental and sounds like a deliberate attempt by Beamer to sound like a jazz master. It would work if performed on an album completely absent of traditional Hawaiian influence; on this album, it feels misplaced.

Another instrumental, "Ano Ano," however, is just the perfect slack key piece. Beamer was inspired by the Devastation Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and wrote this melodic and striking tune. It illustrates the beautiful and peaceful side of a place ravaged by Madame Pele.

Listeners may be reminded of late 70's Kalapana on "Out of My Control" and C&K on"Lost in the Sound of Your Voice". The two, heard side by side, sound like an homage to the golden age of contemporary Hawaiian music.

Kapono Beamer, "Slack Key Dreams of the Ponomoe," Mountain Apple Company, 2005.

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