Film-scoring is a new genre for the prolific composer and artist, and he manages to elicit moods that, presumably, support the film's images and emotions (I haven't seen the movie).

As a stand-alone, the tunes project a broadening stroke of the pen, so to speak, for Shimabukuro, who had to score for a string quartet piano and guitar.

In short: It's a challenge that he masters.

Select titles — the main theme, plus "Heartbeat" and "Walking Down Rainhill" — display the scope of the project, with movie versions, acoustic takes and vocal soundscapes for variety.

Na Leo surfaces on two signature selections — Jon Osorio's and Randy Borden's "Hawaiian Eyes," and Nalani Choy's "Local Boys" — for vocal ammo that's both recent (harmonic) and vintage (that early-days youthful bounce).

The other vocals featured — Miho Teruya in Japanese and Jennifer Perri in English in separate "Hula Girl" renderings, with Perri also soloing on "Wish on My Star" — further expand Shimabukuro's reach in the music marketplace. Teruya's pop treatment still has a uke focus; Perri's is adult-contemporary with sweet mainstream potential.

Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," with brother Bruce Shimabukuro on bass, is gently nostalgic; the rockery of Led Zeppelin's "Going to California" is less folky, more uke-virtuoso in execution, with brilliant riffs that sound like a new song. Two Beatles biggies, "Here, There and Everywhere" and "In My Life," retain the simplicity and poetic allure of the originals, even without words — easily the best cuts of this mini-extended play album.

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" isn't Iz, nor should it be; Shimabukuro's version is exquisitely personal and reflective, with a bit of his flashy playing along the way.

The sixth tune, Sarah McLaughlin's "Ice Cream," is just that — just dessert for a quick taste of Shimabukuro's pop sound.

J. Moki Cho's "Bare Balls" is insistent in the rap motif, with more hip posturing on Mr. Tripp's techno-rock "Don't Wanna Be a Player." Shirnel Ends brings down the tempo a skosh with "Overcome," and Pana'ewa's "Fallen" adds a gentle bounce to the table.

Great memo-board visuals in the packaging — matches the informality and fun in the music. Concert note: Lukie D headlines Fearless Fest, 10 p.m. today at Do Ho's Island Grill.