“TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY”

Allan Thomas (Black Bamboo)

Old-time island recording artist Alan Thomas makes a welcome return to the local music scene with his new collection of 15 original compositions. The lyrics show his wit and imagination as an observer of contemporary culture.

In “15 Minutes,” he imagines how sweet life would be if one of his songs went viral on YouTube — even if the sweetness lasted only that long. “If Only” and “Is That Asking Too Much?!” present other versions of Thomas’ imagined reality.

Other songs come from life lived as it actually is. “Could’ve Been Worse” is self-explanatory. With “Good To Go” Thomas announces that despite various mishaps — a windsurfing accident, to name one — he’s still going.

And, with “The Dating Game,” Thomas shares cautionary tales about online dating, relevant for both sexes.

Several instrumentals display his talent as a composer. On most, Thomas works with his studio orchestra in weaving together varying elements of contemporary jazz and pop. Others put the spotlight on his technique on acoustic guitar.

Thomas closes with “Geezer Talk (Baby Boomer Blues),” a spoken word performance that he delivers with support from a smooth jazz rhythm section. Boomers will relate to his account of the physical inconveniences that come with the program, and those younger will learn what they’re in for.

Visit allanthomas.com.

“CONSTANT AS THE MOON”

Tsun-Hui Hung & Wade Cambern (Self-produced)

Wade Cambern and Tsun-Hui Hung are both Hoku Award winners — he for his work as the leader of the Hawaiian Style Band in the 1990s, she for her debut album with Jeff Peterson and Greg Sardinha this year. Their partnership here is a joyful blending of several musical traditions as Hung’s erhu is embraced by Cambern’s guitar and piano.

Cambern has been known for his vocal appeal from the beginning, Hung makes her debut as a singer here with the title song — and again with a Chinese song titled “Green Island Serenade” — and does a good job with both.

Cambern presents standards from several locales with arrangements where Hung’s erhu fills the niche that would otherwise be occupied by a violin. He goes back to his HSB days with a new arrangement of “Love and Honesty” in which Hung’s erhu replaces the second voice heard in the original hit. Hawaii is represented again with a cross-cultural arrangement of “Makee ‘Ailana.”

A Chinese melody is the foundation of an instrumental number that spotlights Hung’s virtuosity.

Visit “Constant as the Moon” on facebook.com.