There are some fascinatin' rhythms, from a remake of Mackey Feary's "Moon and Stars" to Seawind's Bob Wilson's "He Loves You," plus a signature "Luau Cha Cha," a composition of the Sherman Brothers (Richard and Robert), whose credits include the "Mary Poppins" score, in both an English and Spanish version.

Mendez gives an Island twist to Latin rhythms, having Robi Kahakalau provide Hawaiian lyrics on "Bossa Nova Hand Dance." Indeed, whether it's hula with a bossa nova beat, a mai tai with a cha cha flavor or the simplicity of a "show tune" such as Alan and Marilyn Bergman's "The Island," Mendez is a savvy artist who enlists the kokua of worthy pals. In jazz/soul groove, she makes Michael Ruff's "You Don't Love Me" rock.

And in the spirit of helping, portions of the proceeds are earmarked for her Well of Hope project that aids villages in Ethiopia.

They've produced a baker's dozen tunes, in English and Hawaiian, fusing the culture of the past with the present. Happily, there's a brief revival of tutu Nona Beamer's "Pupuhinuhinu," and a Helen Desha Beamer family classic revival, "Keawaiki." Kamana Beamer contributes a splendid selection of originals that suggests a lingering new-generation spurt of fabled music that future generations of listeners can enjoy, including Hawaiian ("E Keali'inohopono," "Ku'e no") and English ("Storm," "Live From the Lo'i").