Spirit of Aloha | Articles | Music | May/June 2002

Adventures in Dining
By Ozzie Kotani

Simple Majesty

There is a very personal quality to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's posthumous Alone in IZ World that brings listeners up close to his music

Sometimes a huge talent comes along and makes a mark in the music of his time. The late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, popularly known as "IZ," had that gift. KINE radio personality Brickwood Galuteria nicely sums up IZ's significant contribution to Hawaiian music: "With the simple mantra to malama [take care of] and aloha each other, he became the voice of a whole generation of Hawaiians looking for a symbol of pride-and that pride continues to grow."

Lucky for us, IZ continues to speak to us. His posthumously released CD, Alone in IZ World, features enhanced arrangements and unplugged performances, with material never before released.

From the opening song, "Mona Lisa," the recording is up close and personal, as IZ listens in and expresses his obvious amusement at what he has just tried solo, with only his 'ukulele for accompaniment. Although Kamakawiwo'ole had a love for big-production pop music, with full chorus and orchestration, it was when he was recording solo with only his 'ukulele that descriptions such as "simple majesty" and "pure talent" apply best.

Says producer Jon de Mello, "Alone in IZ World has more of the essence of Israel than any of his other albums. From the sounds of his breathing, his storytelling and all the things that make his music unique, Alone in IZ World is meant to be a personal experience with IZ."

A perfect example of this is IZ's now classic version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," which has been featured in the movies Meet Joe Black and Finding Forrester, as well as in a commercial for eToys. His control of the melody and the choice of where to take it stamp the arrangement as his own. A reggae 'ukulele strum supports his wonderful voice and, like the liner notes state, it is THE song that epitomizes this album.

The CD is finely balanced by more fully arranged cuts. "Starting All Over Again," "Kaleohano" and "In This Life" all relay emotions andmessages close to the artist's heart, with the addition of percussion, back-up vocalists and even a bit of traditional Hawaiian chanting.

Alone in IZ World is a recording that will maintain a strong presence in Hawai'i's music for years to come.

Alone in IZ World by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole; Big Boy Record Co./The Mountain Apple Co.; Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, executive producer; Jon de Mello, producer; 2001.

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