ISLAND SOUNDS
Lend your ear to these hot compilations

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Compilation CDs are rather like plate lunches, because they assemble a menu of varied tasty treats for the ears. These might be your ticket to summer listening; pop one in your CD player while you bask in the sun:

Grooving with Tiny

• Artists: Various artists.
• Label: Score Records SRD 102.
• Genre: Adult contemporary.
• Distinguishing notes: Exceptional production values; tracks are mostly "covers" but there are no throw-aways; clean sound, thanks to Dave Tucciarone's engineering and mixing skills.
• The outlook: The summer's best party disc, oozing with romantic cuts (Robi Kahakalau's "Kiss Me," Lehua and SoulFree's "Oh, What a Night/Smooth" medley, Sean Na'auao's "Patience," Tani Lynn and DisGuyz's "Here, There & Everywhere," Robert & Tiera Kekaula's "Unforgettable," Danny Kennedy's "Can't Get Enough of Your Love"). Plus a surprisingly well done hip-hop vocal by Oceanic 16 fave Tiny, in his second compilation CD with music-biz pals.
• Our take: A giant from Tiny, and a franchise in the making, because he plans one CD annually.

A sleeper pick

• Label: Cocoro Sounds CCCN 21022.
• Artists: Kohala and Friends (Various artists).
• Genre: Contemporary Hawaiian, world music.
• Distinguishing notes: Tranquil, poignant, delicate island tunes are assembled side-by-side for an acoustic gem, typified by the quiet-and-gentle renderings by Bryan Kessler ("Sleep in Peace"), Jake Shimabukuro ("Honu's Dream"), Malani Bilyeu ("Pupu Hinuhinu"), Pauline Wilson ("What a Wonderful World"), Robi Kahakalau ("When Pueo Flies:), Lorna Lim ("Mokihana Lullaby"). A lyric sheet enables you to sing your child — or lover — to snoozeville.
• The outlook: Underrated and underappreciated, but unconditionally satisfying.
• Our take: A soothing way to journey to slumberland.

"Hawaiian Lullaby" by Lorna Lim. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.