Happily, his palette includes vocal colors that warm the heart. Perhaps the thrust of the tune "No Apologies," which he co-wrote with Faith Rivera, says it best: "Gonna play my tune, strum my guitar, straight from my heart; gonna follow my star, gonna better myself, not for anyone else, 'cause I wanna be strong and sing my song." It's his mission.

Raised and schooled in Hawai'i, Ho found recording success when he moved to California. Yet "Living in Paradise," another collaboration with Rivera, clearly states where his soul is — in sunny Hawai'i, despite the changes — because "the sun is out and I'm just along for the ride."

Indeed, sunny moods infiltrate his vision for this album, from the title tune to "Suncatcher," which reflect — with varying modes — his quest for sunny spaces, literally or figuratively.

The bonus track, "The Breakfast Song (Pineapple Mango)," co-written by Ho and Amy K. Stillman, is a must-listen ditty, with a calypso tempo and a very sunny morning disposition. It's rendered in Hawaiian (except the pineapple mango utterances), with simple, repetitive but lingering lyrics — the kind anyone without a knowledge of Hawaiian can quickly pick up and sing along.

The titles are as intriguing as the melodies: "You Don't Say" makes his bass converse from the get-go; "Allie-Gator" offers a fusion of drums, bass and trumpet; "Penguin Scramble" is a hoot of a sax-capade; "Tango Rubato" is a tangle of rhythms, fiery then somber, like two themes in one.

Taba composed all tracks and his songbag is fresh and innovative. Modern, hip, progressive, with echoes of conventional jazz but visions of a future form.

The sounds are diverse and unique, with elements of Afro, pop, reggae and outright rock — all with an international thrust.

Thematically, there's a breadth of material: "It's All Inside" fosters child-rearing and soul-searching tips; "War No More" condemns war and conflict in Africa; "Give Love a Chance" might be the counterpoint to "Give Peace a Chance"; "Global Citizen" is a high-energy, mood-stirring personal observation of his life abroad, and his challenges fitting in; "Jamallad" is a testament to his will to soar and find his niche in life.