"Another Rainbow" by Jeff Rasmussen; Fat Katz Productions

• Genre: Island contemporary, world music.

• Distinguishing notes: Just as a rainbow has primary colors, Jeff Rasmussen's career has varied in its hues over time. In this outing, Rasmussen sashays from folk and pop to Hawaiiana and local lore, with covers and instrumentals that reflect a mixed-bag motif.

"Another Rainbow (Wa'ahila)," the closing track on the disc, could emerge as the strongest and most likely hit. It's a Ken Makuakane composition, in English - with a chant by Analu Kame'eiamoku Josephides for dramatic impact. The track's melody and lyrics touch the heart, refresh the soul, and provide food for thought for generations to come.

John Cruz joins Rasmussen on Neil Young's composition, "Heart of Gold," for the folksy strain. There's local reggae seasonings, with Fiji and Rawsun co-writers joining in on vocals on "Till We Grow Old." And a cover of "Baby, We've Got a Date," the Bob Marley-Johnny Nash creation, for a bit of borrowed stuff. Kristie Ching makes "True Love," one of four originals penned by Jeff Rasmussen Jr. (son of the singer).

A folk template transforms "Pakalolo," an Israel Kamakawiwo'ole ditty, into a newbie of sorts, with multiple voice trackings. The traditional "Kamakani Ka'ili Aloha" is rendered gently with tranquil acoustic guitar accompaniment embellished with harmonic upper-register voices.

"Wai'anae," another Rasmussen Jr. original, which easily is the most positive tune about that Leeward O'ahu destination, offers brightness and good cheer capped by a sweet and beckoning voice. It should quickly be adopted by the Wai'anae community.

• Our take: A rainbow disappears as quickly as it appears; but Rasmussen's voice is the pot of gold at the end of his rainbow, with forever-lasting glow.

• Genre: Acoustic jazz guitar, with an Island spin.

• Distinguishing notes: Kohala is a place on the Big Island but also the name of an inventive guitar trio, which gave two live performances at the rRed Elephant in Honolulu. The club is gone, but the magic and memories of those evenings, complete with applause, live on here - via a gamut of material, from the Kalapana hit, "Juliette," to the Seawind icon, "Follow Your Road," with group member-leader Charles Michael Brotman contributing originals in a variety of styles. There's Latin fire on "Samba Del Sol," tropical nuances on "Mango Cooler," and environmental impressions on "Kohala Summer," one of the beauts in the bounty.

And blue is the dominant motif here (the sky? the sea? the mood?), with the CD cloaked in blue, and a fitting song, "Deeper Blue" that is excursion of sorts through both mindscape and landscape.

• Our take: Kohala is worthy of a visit - hearing is believing.

• Genre: Contemporary.

• Distinguishing notes: Short Story is Salli Morita and David Kusumoto. The duo's first problem is one of identity. Only she is pictured on the CD cover, which, initially, may cause a bit of bewilderment. Is Short Story the album title? Is it a group? Only she sings, which is why he's not visible. Is this a fitting launch name for an act in search of friends and airplay?

The duo is prolific, composing seven tunes (separately) in this maiden voyage. Her "Toes" is a cutie, considering, how many toe tunes have you ever heard? His "Carnival" is a sweet and merry go-round ... for her voice.

"At Last," the sultry standard, is a nice fit for her modern voice. She revisits "What a Wonderful World" with a light jazz arrangement, providing a version that is reputable without being repetitive.

Jon Yamasato, David Tucciarone, Michael Grande and a handful of Island musicians are behind-the-scenesters who help bring gloss to this project. If only they resolved the Short Story name. ...

• Our take: A curiosity with identity problems, but easy to listen to.