I was taking a shower at our old home on Laulā Rd. in Waiākea Uka when my wife opened the door and told me that she heard about Israel’s passing on the radio. It’s hard to believe that it was ten years ago.

The Mountain Apple Company honors his legacy with the release of Wonderful World, which matches Iz’ unforgettable voice with sweet orchestral arrangements. I felt the tears welling again, particularly with the closing track, “A Hawaiian Like Me.” There certainly will never be another Iz. I’ll be featuring a cut from it in my final podcast, which should be ready this weekend.

I sub DJ’d on Alana I Kai Hikina this past Sunday, and saw two new releases sitting by the computer. The first was “Calling Out” by Mighty J. It is mostly island contemporary, but has one Hawaiian language song on it, “Ke Ala A Ka Jeep.” I played it, and got a call from a listener about 20 seconds into the song asking who it was singing and what the name of the song was. That doesn’t happen very often. It was nicely done, a contemporary beat backing some very nice vocals and production work. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to hear the rest of the CD.

The second was “Hawaiiana” by island girl Tia Carrere, a former Brown Bags to Stardom contestant and now well-known actress. Unfortunately I didn’t have a chance to listen to that, either (was fighting technical issues all night), but John Berger seems to think highly of it.

Mighty J is comprised of contemporary island music veterans Jenn “JRoq” Wright (Kanalo), Mailani Makainai (Keahiwai), and Tiki Suan (Milo Shade). They released their debut CD today. Tip o’ the hat to Doctor Trey for the heads up.

While spring tends to be slow as far as new Hawaiian releases go, things have been picking up. Hālau O Kekahi released a masterful CD, Hi’iaka I Ka Poli O Pele, several weeks ago, and Tony C. has just released Na Hula Punahele. They are not all well known songs, and Tony should be complimented for reintroducing a number of gems which deserve to be heard but are rarely, if ever, heard these days. Wayne Harada offers his review in his column this week.

Both John Berger and Wayne Harada offer reviews and high praise of Hōkū Zuttermeister’s debut release, ‘Āina Kupuna. John also reviews new releases by Sean Tiwanak and Ho‘okoa; Wayne offers his thoughts on releases by Koa Siu and Country Fire.

Pilioha, winners of last years “Ka Himeni ‘Ana” competion, have a busy promotional schedule coming up. Check their website for details. Their debut release should be in stores now (I haven’t gotten to Borders here recently) or you can order it from the ever-vigilant Auntie Maria. John Berger reviews the release in today’s column at the Star-Bulletin.

I have been hearing the name Hōkū Zuttermeister for years, usually followed by the comment that his debut would be out “very soon.” Well, very soon will soon arrive. His debut CD, ‘Āina Kupuna, will be released on March 27. I have a clip from it and will include it in my farewell podcast, which will be ready “very soon” too 

Wayne Harada features an all-instrumental lineup, reviewing Keola Beamer’s “Ka Hikina O Ka Hau”, The Honolulu Jazz Quartet’s sophomore release, “Tenacity” and steel guitarist Tony Ku’s “King’s Sons of Hawai’i”. John Berger also reviews “Tenacity” as well as Gordon Mark’s “Personal Notes” and “The ‘O’” by Krystilez.

John Berger reviews Keola Beamer’s new release, Ka Hikina O Ka Hau, as well as Tony Ku’s “King’s Songs of Hawa‘i” and Tim Coffman’s “The Rhythm of Paradise.” Wayne Harada features the debut of Green Light Go (featuring Kimo Kahoano’s sons), Reid Kapu Ku and Olivia The Band.

Wayne reviews three recent Hawaiian recordings, Kaukahi‘s “Life In These Islands,” Ho‘omālie‘s “Only You,” and ‘O Wai Lā‘s “Wehiwehi Hawai‘i”. I have the first two and they are both outstanding, I haven’t heard ‘O Wai Lā’s yet but hope to soon. The final release Wayne reviews is a compilation by Tom Moffatt which features Hawai‘i-produced rock and roll from the 1950s.

It’s Wayne’s turn to review this year’s Christmas releases, starting, of course with Keali‘i and The Cazimero’s, but including all of this year’s Hawai‘i releases.

Kaukahi’s Life In These Islands is the debut CD from a new group that sings of the lifestyle, aloha spirit, and beauty of their island home, Hawaii. Their 12-song debut CD features a guest vocal appearance by Jack Johnson, on Kaukahi’s Hawaiian Contemporary version of Jack’s original tune “Constellations”. Also, appearing on this CD is Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom on a duet with Barrett Awai titled Lei Ho’okahi. Kaukahi (literally “singleness of purpose”) is Kawika Kahiapo (vocals, guitar), Barrett Awai (vocals, upright bass), Dean Wilhelm (vocals, guitar), and Walt Keale. Their debut CD is not only out, but is available for online purchase via iTunes and Rhapsody. I have a copy of it, and hope to feature a cut or two in an upcoming podcast.

Ho‘omālie has released their debut, “Only You”. Although the musicians in Ho‘omalie have been around for a while and are established entertainers in their own right. The members of Ho‘omalie are Zanuck Lindsey, Kimo Hussey, John Enos, and Lopaka Ho‘opi‘i. Zanuck is probably the most well known…playing with groups such as Kalapana, Hula Joe & the Hutjumpers, Na Leo, Rockhard Hawaii, and also as part of Fiji’s backup band. Kimo Hussey is an accomplished ‘ukulele player and released a CD called “Eminent ‘Ukulele.” He also colaborated with Carol Wilcox and Puakea Nogelmeier on the best-selling songbook “He Mele Aloha.” John Enos has played with the groups Low Down and Ho‘ike Trio. Lopaka Ho‘opi‘i is a fireman by day, and is also with the group Loea.

Among the 15 songs on the release are Pua Mae ‘Ole, Pōhai Ke Aloha, My Sweet Sweeting, Ku‘u Lei ‘Awapuhi, Model T, The Queen’s Prayer, Only You, Ua Mau, Kawohikūkapulani, and ‘Ekolu Mea Nui/Makalapua.

Usually I don’t get very excited about Christmas releases, and it seems as though that it is only every two or three years that a Hawaiian Christmas release comes along that I get excited about. It’s barely mid-October, and there are already two to talk about!

The Brothers Cazimero have have won over 30 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and a Grammy Award nomination for their 2005 release, “Some Call It Aloha…Don’t Tell.” Their Christmas releases have become classics, and Caz Christmas will likely join their ranks. There is more than just a rehash of Christmas classics, but a number of new compositions as well.

Keali’i Reichel has been topping Hawaiian music charts, dominating radio for the past dozen years, and he also was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005. I can’t think of anyone who I have wanted to see record a Christmas release from more, and he finally has delivered something for everyone’s stocking this year, with Maluhia. I’m particularly excited as one of my compositions, “Ke Aloha Kalikimaka”, will be on the release. I’ll be premiering that cut on a future podcast as the release date gets closer.

Caz Christmas is available right now, and Maluhia is available for pre-order; its official ship date is Nov. 21.

It’s certainly been a year for me to remember, with Kenneth Makaukāne’s CD come out with so many mele that we collaborated on, and to have Keali‘i record one of my compositions is certainly the icing on the cake. Not just because he is who he is in the Hawai‘i recording industry, but also because he was one of those people who really inspired me to take the path I did with the Hawaiian language back when I was first starting out on Maui. If it were not for the kindness and inspiration of people like Keali‘i, Hōkūlani Holt-Padilla, Kī‘ope Raymond and Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, I certainly would not be doing what I am doing today, and probably would have never written a single mele, much less have so many recorded in a single year. Mahalo iā ‘oukou pākahi a pau! I haven’t known Kenneth as long, but he’s been no less inspirational to work with, and helped me gain the confidence to go to the next level. What a year!

Hula Records will be releasing, for the first time on CD, the The Kahauanu Lake Trio’s magnificent “The Kahauanu Lake Trio At The Kaimana Beach Hotel.” It will be available this Thursday, October 19. Sounds like a must-have to me.

For die-hard Danny Couch fans – you can get a copy of his new Christmas CD with a customized audio dedication on it. Not an autographed CD jacket, but a custom audio track on the CD. Interesting concept. Read more about it on in this story from the Honolulu Advertiser’s Wayne Hararda.

I noticed that Na Leo‘s latest, Feel The Spirit, appeared in iTunes Music Store this afternoon, only 6 days after its release. That must be some kind of record for Hawaiian releases; sometimes it takes months before they show up. Kudos to the Mountain Apple Company.

I’ve heard the release and it’s a big leap forward for the ladies into mainstream pop. I’m hoping to feature music from the release in a podcast very soon.

Aloha Music International has three exciting and unique jazz releases coming out tomorrow: Nathan Aweau’s Bass Etude, Benny Chong’s ‘Ukulele Jazz, and Bruce Hamada’s Two For The Road. All represent jazz in very different ways.

Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Nathan Aweau shows his pure passion for the bass guitar on Bass Etude. Benny Chong, a good friend of Nathan’s, showcases his ‘ukulele versatility by playing pop, blues, Hawaiian, and even a Broadway tune. Bruce Hamada is well known around Honolulu, and his album Two For The Road was engineered by 17 time Grammy award winner Al Schmitt at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California.