“Christmas Island”

“River”

(Pulelehua Records)

Nohelani Cypriano

Nohelani Cypriano won a battle of the bands contest in the early 1970s as a member of an all-girl band. A few years later she was rocking Waikiki as the lead vocalist (and sole female member) of a group named Golden Throat. In 1977 she switched from rock to a unique blend of pop and “exotica” with an original, “Lihue,” that became one of the winners of Ron Jacobs’ Homegrown II contest. “Lihue” marked the start of a career reset that has included four Hoku Awards.

Cypriano’s latest releases are a pair of download-only Christmas singles. “Christmas Island,” originally recorded by the Andrews Sisters as big-band pop in 1946, is given a breezy hapa-haole feel by steel guitarist Alan Akaka and percussionist Jon Porlas. Cypriano switches to another genre entirely with an appropriately poignant arrangement of “River,” a Joni Mitchell composition that speaks for everybody who is lonely during the Christmas season. Cypriano puts her heart into the lyrics, and Jeannette Travias (piano) and Rock Hendricks (saxophone) are all the backing needed to make her version memorable.

“‘Moana’ Soundtrack”

various artists

(Walt Disney Records D002467102)

The soundtrack album for Disney’s current computer-animated fantasy/adventure film isn’t a product of the Hawaii recording industry, but because Auli‘i Cravalho (Moana) is a lifelong Hawaii resident and Dwayne Johnson (Maui) has strong ties to the islands, it fits here.

Disney dodged a world of grief by making the story about Polynesian culture in general rather than pegging it to any specific island group. Cravalho, Johnson and multifaceted New Zealand entertainer Jermaine Clement (Tamatoa) are the featured voices on the songs that stand out as well-crafted Disney film-score pop. Opetaia Foa’i and his group, Te Vaka, voice the songs that have the most immediate connection to the peoples of Polynesia.

A sticker on the shrink-wrapped CD informs music store bin browsers that the album also has a second version of “How Far I’ll Go” sung by Canadian pop star Alessia Cara and an alternative version of “You’re Welcome” as interpreted by Disney Music Group recording artist Jordan Fisher.

Fans of the movie — and anyone buying a Christmas gift for a fan — will want to pay the few extra dollars for the two-disc “deluxe edition.” The second disc has outtake versions, demo performances and karaoke tracks for the showstopper songs “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome.”

Visit DisneyMusicEmporium.com.