THE BEST OF KEVIN I. 1980 - 1985, released December 05, 2020

REVIEW BY WAYNE HARADA

(Wayne Harada is the longtime entertainment editor, columnist, and journalist with the Honolulu Advertiser, where he served for 45 years. He also wrote the Show Biz column in the combined Honolulu Star-Advertiser daily newspaper for another 10 years after retirement.) 

“The Best of Kevin I., 1980-1985,” a new digital release, offers a peek in a window of the life and times of Kevin Iwamoto, professionally known as Kevin I. He’s been a longtime buddy of mine, dating back to the Hawaii of the ‘80s, when I was writing reviews, interviews, and an entertainment column called Show Biz in the Honolulu Advertiser.

Prompted to revisit his musical past, while simultaneously updating and defining ownership of his best tracks, the digital album should appease his former fans and attract a new fan base.

Kevin is at a crossroads. The plan was to update his analog recordings and convert into MP3 digital tracks, remastering and bolstering the sound and flavor to carve a niche in the new streaming world of music where there is no physical product like CDs.  His music was being posted on You Tube and other social media sites without his knowledge or permission.  “I felt I had to take back control of my past recordings in this new age of streaming on-line music,” he said.  

Kevin also has launched a career retrospective website that preserves his ‘80s career, which serves as an electronic resource for himself, his family and his fan base.  It has been a painstaking process, but with energy and resources, he is finally able to redefine his territory.

With the help of talented engineer Garrett Haines, Kevin jumpstarts a series of signature tunes.

His first local hit on island radio was “Fairy Tale,” a warm and cozy ballad composed by the husband of his former hairstylist, is about unrequited dreams. It’s a triumph; his voice is majestic, and honestly, you may not recognize the singer. It is a formidable flashback.

“Candle in the Night,” written by Cecilio Rodriguez of Cecilio and Kapono, with Cecilio doing back-up vocals is not earmarked, but it is here, and you can detect his tones.  Both singers’ vocals blended well relying on their mutual love of R&B music.

Kevin is co-writer with Satsuya “Sachin” Iwasawa of Japan band, Bread & Butter for “True Love” and “A Love Song for You.”  As well, Kevin is co-writer for “Hold Me Thru Tomorrow” with his pal Charlene, Motown recording artist of “I’ve Never Been to Me” fame.  All three songs are power ballads in the rock genre produced by legendary Bob Wilson, of Seawind.

What catapulted Kevin’s singing abilities to island audiences was his skillful delivery and emotional connection to songs.  Power ballads have always been his forte, and Kevin personalizes Barry Manilow’s “Where Do I Go from Here,” with a sensitive and emotive rendition.  Another entry, “Somewhere in My Lifetime,” was a tribute to one of his favorite singers, the late Phyllis Hyman, suiting Kevin’s range of projection.  The final sustained note exemplifies why he captivated local audiences in live performances; he is a singer’s singer.  

“Paradise” and “Let’s Give Love” were songs from Bob and Treva Wilson and “I Can’t Wait” was composed by Bob Wilson and Tommy Funderburk.  All three songs were originally on Kevin’s last album, “New Dimensions.”  These songs were reflective of the techo-pop sound of the 80’s and were re-mastered to sound contemporary.  Kevin demonstrates his vocal range and skills by doing all the voicing and backup harmonies.  In his own words, “Singing all the vocal parts were challenging and frustrating at times because in those days you didn’t have digital vocal replicators and cool recording tech; you had to painstakingly do each part and harmony and stack the vocals with precision.  Looking back, I’m glad I did it for the experience, but I won’t lie, it was a lot of hard vocal work.”

The Best of Kevin I. 1980-1985 will bring back fond memories of the pop music scene of Hawaii in the 1980s.  Kevin made his mark while he was performing, and this collection of remastered recorded tracks is a testimony to his talent and perseverance in breaking stereotypes.