"ROOTS SATISFACTION" BY LAGA SAVEA; KONY MUSIC

Genre: Reggae, Jawaiian.

Distinguishing notes: Laga Savea, a 22-year-old Samoan musical prodigy from Nanakuli, is the nephew of sumotori Konishiki. The disc is released on Konishiki's label, so it's somewhat of an 'ohana thing. Savea not only performs the original music, but he also is a composer, often alone, other times with a collaborator, including his uncle, on this cross-cultural CD.

Savea's music has already been featured on a compilation CD produced by Fiji; that track, "Take Me Away," helped him stand out from the pack.

There's definitely a Hawaiian flavor (the CD was produced in Hawai'i and in Japan). There's also splendid technology and clarity in execution. One of the best cuts is "Wanna Get to Know You," which Savea wrote with Shen, a Japanese recording artist from the Def tech camp, delivered with all the pomp and power of a mainstream artist. There's harmony within each track; and a lot of irie pride, with a smidgin of Nanakuli peppering the lyrics, as demonstrated on the party-perfect "Where I'm From" where "everybody's all right, as long as there's no fuss, no fight."

Fiji shows up a couple of times, lending his distinctive presence and precision to "Remember When" and "Umbrella Man," blending his prowess with the newcomer's.

For a change in pace, Savea also includes a Samoan melody (not written by him), "Naumati Lagona." It's rendered in Samoan, and displays a sweeter, more mellow side of his artistry. Same with "Sina'ea," showing off Savea's upper-register singing.

Savea offers promise. He shines because of splendid musical arrangements and first-rate production values.

Our take: Say talofa to Savea — who makes a very satisfying and impressive debut.

Genre: Instrumental world music, solo piano.

Distinguishing notes: David Hicken is a world traveler, originally from England, who's lived in Sri Lanka and Thailand but also sets anchor on the North Shore of Hawai'i, where he recorded this CD at his own studio.

The concept of "Goddess" is to honor goddesses in Egypt, Italy, India, Ireland, Greece, China and Hawai'i, with each composition reflecting the area and the spirituality. This is an armchair tour of ports near and far from a poet of the piano. For the naive, this is also a journey of illumination. We in Hawai'i know about Pele, the goddess of fire associated with volcanoes of the Big Island, but this CD sheds light on others from different realms: Sarasvati, the Hindu goddess of the arts; Diana, the Roman moon goddess; Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity; Isis, the Egyptian moon goddess; Aine, the Celtic sun and moon fertility goddess and others.

Sweeping waves of emotion and sentiment provoke the imagination to embrace each goddess.

Our take: Something different, with a new-age twist — a treat for the ears and soul.

Genre: Instrumental world music.

Distinguishing notes: db warren is a composer-guitarist who travels abroad. Travel inspires new compositions, some with exotic twists.

This collection of 14 tunes plays like a labor of love, involving compadres who share the joy of exploring global nuances with an audience.

The tunes sport a life of their own, suggesting experiences ("Lost in the City"), things ("The Gecko Song"), places ("Shanghai Times") or some mundane elements ("Smile," "My Lucky Charm"). Without lyrics, the listener fills in the blanks to shade the experience.

It's all a pleasant jam, a trek across turf unfamiliar; you find the experience you're looking for. Packaging, however, is disappointing, providing little details on why or how a tune evolved.

Our take: Not highly commercial, but a pleasant discovery.

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