”;Unforgettable”;

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole & The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau
(Poki)

It's easy to forget that Israel Kamakawiwo'ole released his first solo album, and won his first Hoku Awards as a solo artist, while he was still a member of the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau (with the blessing of the other members). Given the worldwide surge in his popularity since his death in 1997, and the commercial success of two posthumously released collections of archival material, this beautifully packaged album is certain to be welcomed by Hawaiian music fans everywhere.

The jewel of the collection is Iz's recording of “;Paper Doll,”; a song recorded for his first solo album, “;Ka 'Ano'i,”; but never released. Pop and poignant, it is a welcome discovery. Another rare find is a new version of the “;Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World”; medley he recorded for “;Ka 'Ano'i”;; this one combines an archival vocal track with new instrumental tracks.

Four other songs from “;Ka 'Ano'i”; are presented with new arrangements. Another nine, culled from four Hoku Award-winning albums, document the musical magic of the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau in their final decade together.

Count this as one of the year's most significant local albums.

www.tropicalmusichawaii.com

”;Over The Rainbow”;/”;What A Wonderful World”;
”;Paper Doll”;
”;I'll Remember You”;

”;Simmer Down”;

Buckz Boyz
(Buck Rodgers Entertainment Corp.)

Buckz Boys—Jai Rodgers and his brother Danny—build on their previous album, “;Genuine,”; with this one. Released in December 2006, “;Genuine”; had eight songs. “;Simmer Down”; has 11, including a few new ones.

The Boys' sound is straight Jawaiian, but a live horn section gives their work more substance than is usually found in self-produced local recording projects. Local “;kanakafarians”; won't want to sleep on this one.

Big Every Time (BET) are the featured guests on “;Sounds So (BET),”; and someone named Maxx Effex adds commercial Shaggy-wannabe vocal counterpoints to “;Another Day.”;

“;Miss You”; shows Jai's broader horizons as a songwriter as he dispenses with the Jamaican rhythms; an acoustic guitar is all he needs in this heartfelt requiem for a love lost. 

www.buckzboyz.com

”;Simmer Down”;
”;Another Day”;
”;Miss You”;

”;Hawaiian Holidays: Christmas With Na Leo”;

Na Leo
(One Hawaii)

Na Leo's 1999 Hoku Award-winning “;Christmas Gift”; is reintroduced with bright new packaging, an additional track and a video clip. Whether that makes this a “;new”; album is a matter of opinion, but the disc is a perfect pick as a Christmas gift for anyone who doesn't have the earlier version.

Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine and Angela Morales harmonize beautifully on a balanced collection of Christmas standards and well-written originals. Choy reminds us that Jesus is the reason for the season with “;What Would Christmas Be?”; Heine celebrates Christ's legacy with “;Unto Us Tonight”; and “;What Love.”; Morales adds a secular lament with “;Christmas Time Blues,”; and guest vocalist Robert Cazimero contributes a cheery upbeat number, “;A Christmas Wish.”;

The “;bonus track”; is Na Leo's personal version of the Hawaiian/pidgin version of “;Twelve Days of Christmas.”; The “;cans of beer”; that are included in some versions have been replaced by something else, but this is one of those rare times when it's OK to customize song lyrics.

www.naleo.net

”;O Holy Night”;
”;Unto Us Tonight”;
”;Ave Maria”;