“Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Best of Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole”

Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole

(Big Boy, BBCD 5912)

In the 20 years since he died of weight-related health problems at the age of 38, Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo‘ole has become bigger in death than he was in life. Globally, he is the best-known Hawaiian vocalist of his generation.

IZ is one of only three Hawaii-resident recording artists to have an RIAA-certified gold album for sales of more than 500,000 copies, and the only one to have an RIAA-­certified platinum album for sales of more then 1 million copies.

Much of that commercial success is due to the business acumen of Jon de Mello, who became his producer and mentor shortly after his abrupt departure from the Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau in 1993. De Mello commemorates the 20th anniversary of IZ’s death with this neatly packaged collection of 16 classic recordings. “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World” are included, of course. It is a welcome reminder of IZ’s talent as a performer and song stylist.

The composers of the songs aren’t mentioned in the production credits, but Harry B. Soria’s liner notes include information about the songs.

Visit mountainapplecompany.com.

“Between the Sky & Prairie”

The Grasslands Ensemble & Daniel Ho

(Wind Music, TCD-5342)

Hawaii-born Daniel Ho owns a place in Hawaii music history for his work as a Grammy Award-winning producer and recording artist, but in recent years his musical interests have taken him outside the United States. Ho went to Taiwan several years ago to record with aboriginal musicians there. With this project he explores how ukulele, piano and ipo heke (a double-gourd percussion instrument) mesh with the musical traditions of Mongolia and other Northeast Asian cultures.

The arrangements are imaginative and diverse. On some, Ho’s Hawaiian instruments seem a natural fit with their Mongolian counterparts. Other songs emphasize Ho’s skill as a pianist as he provides accompaniment for one of the female vocalists; these songs seem divorced from Mongol traditions but have an exquisite beauty that transcends the language barrier for listeners not fluent in Mongolian.

A beautifully illustrated booklet documents the context of the music and the credentials of the performers in English and Chinese.

Visit windmusic.com.tw.