Wolf also emulates Jack Johnson's brand of tuning up, offering quick and quirky snapshots of life. "Pay No Mind" deals with time running out; "The Weekend" calls for trust, love, promise and dreams — and evokes harmonic joy. "Movies" views life as cinema — part fantasy, part wonderment, rewinding with smart lyrics.

A lyric booklet shares his poetry, so you can sing along — a smart tactic for a guy with a lot to offer. This CD, his second, has been released nationally — and it would be a feather in his cap if Hawai'i gets on his bandwagon.

Bartlett embraces pop tunes, blues moods and more, and she recognizes her Island environs in molding her repertoire, including "House in Pauoa," a tranquil ballad extolling the valley on O'ahu, on which composer Mahelona also sings. She goes bossa nova on "Sol"; and Matsuda's contribution, "Renda Brancas (White Lace)," is a samba find nicknamed "Cheryl's Samba" for obvious reasons, and it features Portuguese lyrics.

Every track has a reason for being here — and so what if she faces tough challenges to get airplay? She'll get oceans and waves of applause from those who know and appreciate her vision. The disc is in limited release, available at Harry's Music, Tutuvi Sitoa, www.digstation.com, www.cherylsongs.com.

"Moonshine" glows through and through — "Hula Girl" is hip and hot, with Peni Pua'auli of Natural Vibrations guesting, adding an Island orientation; "Cruzin' " is a spoken recitation featuring B.E.T.; "Feels So Good" sounds so soothing, with Dorian Wright in a talky, then singing, mode.

Kutmaster Spaz's remix of "Show Me Your Love" is techno-pop stuff that motivates quick dance-floor action.