• Genre: 'Ukulele instrumentals.

• Distinguishing notes: Troy Fernandez has been a major force in contemporary Island music for years — though in a quiet manner. From his Palolo days, Fernandez has been an instrumental element of all the groups he's embraced, most notably with the Ka'au Crater Boys, his former group affiliation. This solo album, an homage to his inspirational strummers and peers, is a marvelous "introduction" to his musical eloquence, without words. He embraces new tunes, such as "TNC," one of his original collaborations with Chino Montero and Nathan Nahinu, and his interpretive finesse is the drawing card as he puts his own "voice" on a sweet mixture of hapa-haole, contemporary and classic Island faves, including Palani Vaughan's "Ka'aahi Kahului," Dennis Kamakahi's "Wahine 'Ilikea" (melded with Johnny Noble and Claude Malani's "Maori Brown Eyes"), Jon Osorio's "Hawaiian Soul," Peter Moon's "Guava Jam" (coupled with Lizzie Alohikea's "Nani Kaua'i"), Ernie Cruz's "On Fire," Del Beazley's "Maui Hawaiian Suppa Man" and R. Alex Anderson's "Lovely Hula Hands."

• The outlook: The uke continues to stir new attention and commotion, and Fernandez proves there's still room for connections, alongside Jake Shimabukuro, Herb Ohta Sr. and Jr. and Daniel Ho.

• Our take: Count Fernandez among the caretakers of the 'ukulele movement.

• Genre: Traditional and contemporary Hawaiian.

• Distinguishing notes: Five by 5 is emerging into a versatile combo with depth and breadth as a harmonic group, tackling 16 tunes (with one tune heard in reprise) with warmth and grace. The group includes Tony "Taigah" Bower (aka Big T), Fred Thomas, and single-monickered Neal and Jalen, who demonstrate a fondness and commitment to the riches of Hawaiiana. There are throwbacks to The Brothers Cazimero, Ho'okena, Hui 'Ohana, Amy Hanaia-li'i Gilliom, even the Peter Moon Band. A tribute to Loyal Garner, "I Will Remember," is mellow and nostalgic, laced with emotion and joy; revivals of "Waika," "Ku'u Ipo I Ka He'e Pu'e One," "Hale'iwa Hula/North Shore Serenade," "Hula Lady," "Green Lantern Hula," "E Ku'u Lei" and "Nani Kaua'i" will send you down memory lane, complete with sweeping vistas of succinct and harmonic notes. Even Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" sounds resourcefully "local."

• The outlook: Crisp production values, earnest treatments of the songs give this one high marks.

• Our take: Take "Five" and reflect on the grand parade of melodies.

• Genre: Steel-guitar instrumentals.

• Distinguishing notes: Jerry Byrd is indubitably the most prolific of our prevailing steel guitarists; surely, he's a Man of Steel (with apologies to the superhero) who has influenced many in his tenure and continues to impress. This collection, freshly released, showcases his remarkable style that has infiltrated country and Hawaiian music albums for decades. In performances with Norman Isaacs (bass), Benny Kalama ('ukulele) and Hiram Olsen (guitar), Byrd sweetly lords over a gentle mix of Nashville and Honolulu classics, the juxtaposition of song choices simply reflecting his varied and widespread connections with both genres. "Carefree," "Chickadee" and "Forever and Ever" are nicely contrasted with "Maui Chimes," "Ho'i Mai" and "Maui Waltz," providing aural images of places near and far.

• The outlook: For those not yet intoxicated by Byrd's music, this is an opportune introductory disc.

• Our take: The Byrd's the word, and he's the master of the steel guitar.