Israel has done it again. His musicical collection, is done so masterfully. His voice so soothing and beautiful. I would highly recommend this collection.

This artist embodies all that is "Hawaiiana". Thoroughly outstanding, nostalgic; the best overall Hawaiian entertainer, bar none.

Since I am not from Hawaii I don't profess to identify with the political and cultural aspects of IZ's music, so all I can really say is that I find IZ's music just plain nice to listen to, especially when its just him and his uke. Need to relax, need to kick back and drift away to the Islands then this will do it for you. Get rid of the pills and pick up a dose of IZ to calm the tensions of the day. Of course you'll have to resist to go out and purchase a one way ticket to Hawaii.....or will you?

A classical music buff, & up until August had never heard of IZ. In an airport in Botswana, awaiting a plane to Johannesburg (delayed for several hours), I observed a distinguished-looking man, sitting completely relaxed, with a smile on his face, listing to his iPod. Finally, out of boredom I commented about how un-stressed he seemed to be; he promptly passed over his earphones. WOW! It was Iz singing "Over the Rainbow" (a song I am completely and thoroughly sick of!) Of course, his version was familiar and for the first time in years, I loved the song. Unfortunately, I then forgot the artist's name. Thank goodness it came back to me.

Bought this CD at probably the last Tower Music Store in the nation, along with 15 others (all classical) and can't stop playing it. Right now I'm in the process of buying this album for a friend, along with all the rest of his collection.

So long, Beethoven! (Not really, but this is a whole new wonderful addition to my listening life.) I think IZ belongs in every top-notch music portfolio.

Odd that Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (formerly a member of Hawaiian Renaissance band, the Makaha Sons of Niihau, and outspoken vocalist in the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement) would hook up with John DeMello, the son of Hawaiian music's whitest bandleader -- Jack DeMello (the latter of whom orchestrated ultra easy listening records in the '60s). Putting that aside, this album is really hit or miss for me.

When Israel is doing his beachboy-style songs (loose, comedic, played solo on the ukulele or with minimal overdubs) he provides a glimpse of the old Hawaiian spirit so lacking in contemporary Hawaiian music. Which is to say that most present-day Hawaiian music is so serious, that it almost sounds like Contemporary Christian Music. Israel's versions of "Kamalani" and "I Ke Alo O Iesu" are slick, sappy and overwrought with sentimentality. In other words, they are the opposite of the loose, mellow and cool sound inherent to beachcomber cuts like "Tengoku Kara Kaminari" and "Theme from Gilligan's Island."

Yeah, that's right... this strong native Hawaiian voice tackles the theme from Sherwood Schwartz's tacky, '60s go-go, beachcomber television show (starring TV beatnik Bob Denver). But in doing so, Kamakawiwo'ole puts his own spin on the song, first bringing an oceanside humor that was not on the original theme recording for the show's credits. But halfway through "Theme from Gilligan's Island," Israel turns the song into a loose politcal statement, as he reminds the listener that he has no need to come back from THIS island... back to a place where there are cars, pollution and government corruption. In that sense, the song connects on many levels, even though it seems like a silly idea at first glance.

"E Ala E" -- the opening track on this album -- is a fiercly political cry that works as a personal plead for Hawaiian civil rights and sovereignty over their own land. The field recordings of Hawaiian demonstrators marching and chanting in the background gives the song another layer of depth.

All in all, there's enough goodness going on here to get you past the sappy material. But there are better Kamakawiwo'ole albums out there, including his entire back catalogue with the Makaha Sons of Niihau, plus IZ's first two solo albums.

This is a beautiful combination of traditional Hawaiian and contemporary tunes, both tender and upbeat. I purchased this CD when visiting Hawaii for the first time, and have loved Iz's music ever since. This CD should be in anyone's collection who loves contemporary Hawaiian music and the versatile sound of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

Music for the soul. Buy it, listen to it, and have a wonderful uplifting experience. Iz's music makes me smile, laugh and cry. What a wonderful gift to the world!

The selection of music appears to be for his own people adding to my personal enjoyment and appreciation of the native Hawaiian people. I enjoy listening to all of the tunes in this collection.

The only comment is that the recording engineer used to much gain when recording and I have to reduce all frequencies when playing this and other IZ Discs the I have purchased thru Amazon.
Especially the highs and mids or his voice comes out sort of "tinny".

I first learned about Iz from a fellow softball player in Sacramento, CA, who is Hawaiian. After games, many players like to hang around to eat and socialize as the sun sets. Several Hawaiians play guitars and ukuleles, and sing and dance to their favorite Hawaiian songs. I found it very relaxing to listen to this music and became very fond of it. I then started looking for a good Hawaiian music CD, but couldn't find what I wanted until I asked one of our softball players/singers, and he recommended "Iz". I had not even heard of him! I visited Tower Records and took a chance by purchasing "E Ala E". After I got home, I couldn't stop listening to it! Each and every song was great and I could tell immediately that Iz's songs were beautiful and genuine. The songs can easily bring a person to tears! I have enjoyed my three visits to Hawaii, but Iz has brought me a giant step closer to experiencing Hawaiian culture. I have since wanted to share my discovery by loaning the CD to friends. I have a feeling (actually knowledge) that I will be buying more CDs by Iz.

I was visiting O'ahu in 1999 for my first visit back after moving away as a child. While searching the CD rack at the Bishop Museum for music that would help me 'feel' Hawaii, I suddenly realized that the music playing over the speakers was exactly what I was looking for. The young man at the counter showed me a CD by IZ (Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole), then suggested 'E Ala E', since it was his own favorite. I bought it, and when I got back to Utah I couldn't stop listening to it. I now have over 100 Hawaiian CD's - mostly purchased over the internet. I rate the quality of the music by how strongly I feel Hawaii when I listen to it, and "IZ" is one of the best. He may have passed on - but he will always live on in the hearts of his many fans (past, present and future!) through his music.

Glorious Melodies that touch the heart. Well worth every penny!

I am a hawaiian and hawaii born and bred islander, I am blessed by the fact that my parents brought me up with hawaiian music but most of all the late great Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole. The day that shocked hawaii I was out and about with my family when my father stoppped at a gas station as he came out of the gas station a newpaper in his hand and a heartbroken look on his face..." what's the matter daddy" he handed me the paper and i started to cry there it was "Braddah Iz passed away at the age of 38 in his sleep last night" I couldn't beileve it such a beautiful voice silenced he will never make another record.But just to have had Braddah Iz on this earth for just this short time to hear the music with and without the makaha sons of Niihau is truly magical..so his music lives on. I've read all these amazing reviews of Braddah IZ...I am happy and touched that so many people have been touched by his music. Unforunately i didn't know braddah iz but in a way all us hawaii born islanders always seem to truly know braddah Iz, his music touched us all. to understand how huge Braddah Iz was he is still mourned and celebrated in hawaii and his music is still played constantly on the radio.The day of his birth and passing is celebrated like a national holiday. When you listen to any of the LATE and GREAT Israel Kamakwiwo'Ole's cds..you will hear one the most beauitful voices god ever put on this earth. But when you look at this man ,this giant man with this amazing angel like voice you will be blown away. god gave this late singer the voice of angel. a voice that must have been blessed and touched by god himself and it was...the songs , music and lyrics will leave you speechless and breathless ..his voice and the way he delivers the songs with that teardrop in his vocal chord...will send chills up and down your spine..any of this mans cds is excellent and it is a must of anyone who wants to get a cd that reflects the spirit of islands this man , this legend was the spirit of hawaii, BRADDAH IS WAS AND STILL IS HAWAII. even thou IZ passed away some time ago his voice his music his legend still lives is the islands thru his voice and music.his voice alone will leave you with a tear in your eyes... buy any one of his cds..trust me it's worth it...also braddah iz was with a hawaiian group called Makaha sons of Niihau pick up those cs as well, and let the memory of Braddah IZ and his music live on for the future generations to hear and love

E ALA E may have many meanings but to Iz the meaning was to rise up and acknowledge your heritage if you are Hawaiian. I lived on Oahu for 4 years and got to see Iz in concert, to listen to his musings on life, on being Hawaiian, on being human. His was a soul we shall not see again, perhaps, in this lifetime of ours. This CD opens with the title song and immediately captivates the listener with the power of Iz's simplicity and aura. It is impossible to not FEEL what Israel is conveying to his people, nay, to all of us....To rise up and be counted for who each of us is, who each of us can be if we simply beleive in ourselves as souls. This is my second favorite CD of Iz's after Facing Future. It will steal your heart if you let it, so put it on, sit back, feel Hawaii, feel Hawaiian, and feel the power of this gentle giant. Then, once you have known the beauty of what Israel created, buy everything he recorded and learn to miss him as I do. Aloha niu loa, Koka

I really enjoy IZ's music. It is both calming and uplifting. I wish he was still around. I would have loved to see him in concert.

This music made me cry. Then laugh. Then cry again. Maybe this was because I was throwing water balloons at strangers while listening.

And I haven't acquired it as a result of this CD. I like Iz's Facing Future CD much better. This one is a one-cut CD (the first cut is good, the rest is dreck).

This was the first IZ CD I purchased, and I eventually purchased all of his music, including some of his earlier works with the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau. However, I think his solo work really represents and evolution of Hawaiian music. His music maintained the integrity and feel of the traditional Hawaiian genre, while adding a more contemporary sound to it all. All of his CD's contain of mix of traditional, reggae, and even some R&B...essentially something for everyone to enjoy. I would recommend this, and all of his other albums to anyone.

This was the first IZ CD I purchased, and I eventually purchased all of his music, including some of his earlier works with the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau. However, I think his solo work really represents and evolution of Hawaiian music. His music maintained the integrity and feel of the traditional Hawaiian genre, while adding a more contemporary sound to it all. All of his CD's contain of mix of traditional, reggae, and even some R&B...essentially something for everyone to enjoy. I would recommend this, and all of his other albums to anyone.

This CD was the first I purchased of IZ. I was never really a fan of traditional Hawaiian music until I heard this album. To me, IZ seemed to represent an evolution of the traditional genre by developing a style that maintained the feel and integrity of the music, but merging it with a contemporary sound. I would recommend this CD, and any of his other albums. All of them have an equal balance of traditional Hawaiian, Reggae, and even some R&B.

This CD contains some of IZ's prettiest renditions. His cover of Wind beneath my wings, coupled with a chant and hawaiian language song of similar viewpoint is aweome. As they say in the Islands, it is a chicken-skin song. The hawaiian language song Kaleohano really showcases his voice. The title song is another song of independance, where through editing his elder brother Skippy's voice is added to the song. As always, Iz can communicate his Aloha like no other. It is a sine qa non of any Hawaiian music collection.

Another group of songs by Bruddah Iz that makes you smile and stirs your soul. My favorite cut, Kamalani, still brings me to tears every time I listen to it. The entire CD is full of typical Israel music that speaks of human love and longing, as well as historical and present-day Hawaiian cultural issues. Never heavy-handed, but very informative. There's a VHS movie about Israel called Island Music Island Hearts, The Man and His Music. If you love his music you have to find this video. END

He is such a soul singer. A person that lives in Hawaii, and grew up with his singing. I love it. The song Somewhere Over the Rainbow is such a popular song. "Finding Forester" even played this song at the end of the movie. The etoy Comercials play this song to. I wish IZ Was still alive making music.

We heard this album for the first time on our most recent trip to Kauai. It's a great blend of native Hawaiian sounds and some whimsy. I especially liked Brudda Iz's version of Wind Beneath My Wings, which he sings in Hawaiian. I can practically smell the islands when I listen to him!

This albumn shows how the Hawaiian people have taken many different cultural currents, blended them with their beautiful wolrd view, and created langorous music that reaches deep into your soul.

Even the Gilligan's Island spoof, carries a message about the "progress" that has been forced onto the beautiful islands of Hawaii.

As stirring, melodic, and warm as always. Beautifully produced and arranged. Surprisingly, the Gilligan's Island theme, which might seem like a goof, becomes a vehicle for Iz' cultural/ecological message, and fits quite nicely with his others which are powerful but never strident. "Facing Future" is the one to start with, this is a good companion piece.

Pure Heaven! This CD just made my heart smile! Only Iz has that special way of putting your mind and soul at peace. My favorite song is "Kamalani".