One of the lingering tracks is "Kaleohano," the Skippy Kamakawiwo'ole-linked tune composed by Louis "Moon" Kauakahi of The Makaha Sons. As noted in the helpful liner notations, the mele inoa (name song) honors Pinky Kaleohano of Kona who gave Skippy a gift, and Skippy asked Moon to compose this tune as a mahalo. Moderow's rendering stands right up next to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version.

Overall, the act's versatility — falsetto turns, a bit of harmony and instrumental riffs that reflect its award-winning status — stands out.

Because of his Island base, the songs have a laid-back tropical flavor, with backyard informality and party-hearty mood. Yet he has stellar connections with industry powerhouses on the Mainland, so his vibes likely will connect with a broader audience.

His new music reflects a soaring passion for his craft, and tracks like "Angel," "Baby's Gone Blues," "Let Us Dream" and "One of These Days" have lingering power in a spectrum of realms — folk, blues, adult contemporary, even light jazz. Some of the industry's seasoned players participate here, including percussion powerhouse Paulinho Da Costa, Steve Berlin (Los Lobos' saxophonist), drummer James Gadson and pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz.

Two simple pleasures are "Missing You" and "Be There," with Cruz's seductive voice caressing the lyrics, his guitar-strumming tugging at the heartstrings. And happily, he's taken on "Hi'ilawe," the Gabby Pahinui signature, with both a sense of respect yet an opportunity to expand the song's appeal. And yes, the Hawaiian lyrics are another positive step in not only perpetuating the pulse of Island music, but introducing it to others elsewhere.

Together, Abbott and Taylor render what might be termed a cafe-society session together — the kind of savvy, intimate and exhilarating act commonly served in New York's chic and hot spots. Clearly, these Punahou School grads engage in an artistic labor of love, the voice caressing the notes, the piano engaged in occasional solo interludes to create sound pictures of romantic evenings.

This is a niche audience venture — 18 songs dispensed with elegant and classy demeanor.

Some cuts are widely popular, such as "Give Me the Simple Life," "Try a Little Tenderness," "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "Make Someone Happy" ...

Too bad Abbott and Taylor did not include liner notes about why these specific tunes were assembled — and how they touched their hearts.

One of the best cuts is "I Thrive," which could easily be his personal anthem — "I thrive on Your love, I survive by Your grace. The punishment that I deserved You carried in my place ..." — as he bares his soul about his highs and lows in his Christian life. "Overcome" also exposes the dichotomy of life's ups and downs — "I may be lost but not out ... I may be scared but not alone ... Well I've been cold, but I'm not frozen; I've been weak but not destroyed." There's repeated expression of hope, promise, dedication, determination — laced with earnest belief and desire to do good, feel good, be good.