Maybe it's the Kamuela climate, where Palm Records operates, that yields that soaring element of solitude and gentleness permeating track after track — a winning element that yields intimacy and intrigue to such faves as "Home for the Holidays," "What Child Is This?" "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Merry Christmas Darling," and, yes, "O Holy Night."

The question is, is this a contender for Best Christmas Album, Best Instrumental, or Best Jazz? It's a qualifier, for certain — clean sound, crisp packaging, clever cutout (palm tree) cover.

"Kaleoaloha," a tune he wrote, is one of the most memorable items here, particularly because of the Hawaiiana elements — and simple yet stunning delivery, with a midway surprise. Another endearing good-to-hear-again entry is "Mai Poina Oe I A'u," with Kenney's seductive notes providing romantic and rhapsodic impact.

A handful of Ed Magoon Jr. compositions are here, including "Talk Story," with its pidgin and hapa-haole elements and again, an incomparable Kenney jolt of personality. "An Island," another Magoon creation, bears the haunting panorama of a tropical getaway with a Hollywoodish arrangement by John Turner.

The classic Bob Nelson favorite, "Hanalei Moon," is a footprint of the past — they don't write 'em like that anymore, and they hardly sing 'em like that in showrooms either.

There's a Latin undercoat to his "En La Noche (In the Night)" and a contagious dance flavor on a subtle "Meditation," a spirited jazz texture to his upbeat "Summertime," a bluesy flavor on "There Will Never Be Another You," a TV theme texture to "Instrumental Magic."

A few tunes are revivals; a few are relatively unknown. But Alec B. puts a nice spin on 'em all.