Buddy Fo has enjoyed a well-deserved resurgence in popularity since he returned to Hawaii a few years ago. The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts gave him its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, and, given the precedent HARA set this year by giving a Lifetime Achievement Award to Hui Ohana, it's not inconceivable that he could receive another when HARA gets around to acknowledging the lifetime achievements of the Invitations as well.

In the meantime, Fo's solo album makes it clear that his personal list of lifetime achievements is far from complete. The title is an incisive description of where Fo is coming from with this delightful assortment of pop, jazz, and hapa-haole standards. Sparse arrangements spotlight his talents as a versatile musician and unpretentious solo vocalist. An acoustic jazz/pop feel prevails.

Sam Ahia does a great job as Fo's primary arranger and accompanist. Brass, bass and drums add interesting textures on some selections, but a bare bones arrangement of "Time After Time" -- with Fo singing and Ahia on guitar -- is perfect in its simplicity.

Fo further personalizes this musical self-portrait by sharing the significance of "Nani Waialeale" and "Mane'i Mai Oe," his reasons for recording "Calypso Blues," and other info in the liner notes.