“Kingdom”

New Hope Oahu

(DREAM Worship, 7267029117)

The second half of the 20th century saw the rise of a new type of Christian music that was much closer to pop than traditional hymns or African-American gospel music. It flourished in the big auditorium-style churches that emerged outside the churches of the traditional Protestant denominations and became known as “praise music” for the simple reason that in many of the songs the singer praised God personally and directly. No group in Hawaii has done “praise music” more successfully than New Hope Oahu.

The group’s first release, “Hope Is Alive,” won the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for best religious album in 2014. The second, “Victorious,” won the category in 2015. That makes “Kingdom” — which was recorded “live” in front of an worshipping audience — a front-runner for 2018.

Jana Anguay Alcain, Jewl Anguay Carney, Chris Kiriakos, Noni Slade, Lokahi Valentine and Melodie Zepeda lift their voices to praise God. A tight team of musicians provides instrumental support. A song titled “Name of Jesus” stands out as being both soothing and inspirational.

Hawaii praise music doesn’t get more polished than this.

For lyrics and chords, visit nhomusic.com.

“Tribute”

Makona

(Tin Idol Productions, TIP0021)

In 2016, Gerard Gonsalves and several members of his Tin Idol organization explored what the results might have been if the Osmonds had been more into metal than pop. This year they’re exploring the hits of Madonna.

Gonsalves (drums), Jimmy Catarine (guitar) and Darren Soliven (bass) back Sandy “Storm” Essman on a random cross section of 10 Madonna hits from the 1980s and early 1990s. Maybe it’s because they’re recording as Makona that almost everything is less intense than on other Tin Idol projects like “Jesus Christ Supernova” and their SIN73 rock-opera trilogy.

The arrangements fall toward the lite end of the metal spectrum, and Essman’s voicings are closer to pop-rock than to the various howling, shrieking, roaring and screaming styles heard in less mainstream metal subgenres.

However, with “True Blue” and “Vogue” they dive deeper into metal with commendable results.

All going well, Madonna will appreciate their work as well as the composers’ royalties these recordings earn.

Visit reverbnation.com/tinidols.