The tune that's percolating attention is "Freeway," a soft-rock item about journeying on the road — kind of symbolic of her personal treks. Her grip on shifting musical gears makes her a serious player on the musical landscape.

"Sunshine" radiates with quiet and personal joy — my favorite in Thurston's "L.I.F.E." — as her powerful, pliable voice embraces the poetry she's created. The experience is warm and satisfying, with a positive spin. "You are the sunshine of my life," she sings. Fans will listen and link up.

Leon Russell's familiar "A Song for You" has nocturnal, smoke-filled-room ambiance, with its brooding and soulful reading — and it could be a door-opener for folks who prefer a tune they know.

"Sorry" has a deliberate folk flavor, dominated by guitar accompaniment, and the tune asks forgiveness — sorry being one of the most difficult words to express in a moment of duress.

Thurston co-produced with the savvy Dave Tucciarone, who also engineered the session. One negative: no lyrics in the packaging.

Like others in the biz, Thomas taps his pals to sit in on this recording, so Graham Nash (Crosby, Stills & Nash) and Tris Imboden (Chicago) on the national scene and Bryan Kessler (Hawaiian Style Band) and Ken Emerson and Michael Ruff on the local front chime in.

Thomas' work is comforting and assured; his storytelling shines and is best demonstrated on entries such as "Leap of Faith," "How Long Till Light," "Ray of Hope" and "Rapture in the Rain," the last tune traced to a wet season in Ha'ena.

The song orientation is mainstream pop for a global audience. All but one song was written by Thomas on Kaua'i from 1988 to 2006, so it's not unusual to read a local temperament in the compositions; he likes to think he's providing R&B with an Island (read: tropical) spin.

The session was recorded at Kilauea, and the CD packaging is filled with Hawai'i elements, including a painted cover with surf and palms.

Jonna Ahn's "Dance With Me," Janell Crabral's "Baby Girl," Chelsea La'anui's "Pay Attention" and U'ilani Laboy's "Faith in Me" are delights with dance-floor potential.

Each generation breeds a "Pakalolo" novelty, and Mike Stewart provides one here.

The guy goodies include Herschel Nunies' "Road of Love," "Junior Lacuesta's "Touch the Ground" and Dezman's "Don't Worry."