• Genre: World music, pop.

• Distinguishing notes: Danny Couch is one of Hawai'i's top voices. In this new disc

introducing a couple of fresh titles and revives a grand roster of oldies, Couch is no slouch — his rhapsodic style yields images of sultry days, crystal blue skies, verdant valleys and beach escapes forming the essence of the tourist ideal. The first two tracks also solidify Couch's stance as a singer with vision and sensitivity. "Island," a ballad Couch co-wrote with John Rowles, is a worthy companion to his earlier "These Islands." "Hawaii My Paradise," also from Couch's pen, has syncopation that could make it a positive fit for a filmed-in-Hawai'i TV series. He brings new eloquence and vigor to such catalog items as "Waikiki," "I'll Remember You," "Blue Hawai'i," "Flying," "Hawaiian Lullaby," and "Beyond the Reef," which makes the CD a terrific soundtrack for a departing visitor. "Akaka Falls" plays on his upper registers; "I Love Hawaii (Ah, My Hawaii)" revives a hit he created several years ago.

• The outlook: Each song stirs a shimmering memory of Hawai'i; each one is suitable for a relaxing concert in the sky on any Hawai'i-bound airliner's audio system.

• Our take: Danny captures the pulse of our island paradise.

• Genre: Hawaiian slack key.

• Distinguishing notes: This compilation is derived from a series of weekly slack-key guitar concerts at Maui's Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Kapalua. It's a tidy and impressive mix of 12 vocals and instrumentals, rendered by Cyril Pahinui ("Hi'ilawe" and "Hula O Makee," two vocals), Ledward Ka'apana ("Maunaloa Slack Key," an instrumental), Ozzie Kotani ("Ku'u Pua I Paoakalani," an instrumental), Keoki Kahumoku ("I'll Remember You," a vocal, and "Sweet Lelehua," an instrumental), George Kahumoku Jr. ("Mauna Kea Mosquito," a vocal), and Daniel Ho ("Slack Tides" and "Lia," both instrumentals). Peter de Aquino and Garrett Probst also are featured on a bonus-track instrumental, "Little Rock Getaway," and they're in good company.

• The outlook: This is a quick and effective view of slack-key stylists in action.

• Our take: One good turn deserves another — expect more volumes in the future.

• Genre: World, reggae.

• Distinguishing notes: Fiji, the singer (not the island nation), is a hip-and-heavy-hitting artist on the contemporary music scene. This recent arrival packs a powerful reggae-Jawaiian punch, sashaying from his Polynesian roots on the opening "Chant" to a rhythm-infused network of reggae-tempoed standouts such as "Jowenna (Sweet Hawaiian Girl)," "Stay With You" and "Impossible." Fiji also has the smarts to select unlikely material and call it his own, including a Garth Brooks composition, "If Tomorrow Never Comes." Periodic multiple voice-overs add a dimension of harmony and unexpected sweetness. When he chooses, Fiji can be a pure romantic, as he demonstrates on "Darkness To Light" and "The Vow (Wedding Song)." Production values are high.

• The outlook: This one should expand Fiji's fan base.