N Dis Life [Original recording reissued]

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 20, 1996)
• Original Release Date: December 20, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Mountain Apple Company
• Run Time: 44 minutes
• ASIN: B000008SP6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,091 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #36 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Pacific Islands
  • #58 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Israel

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Born in Honolulu in 1959, this son of a Ni'ihau mother returned to Ni'ihau to spend the first five years of his life with his Tutu Kane, his Grandfather. In 1964 he returned to Oahu to join his immediate family then on to Makaha on the Waianae Coast where Israel was to learn the importance of his Hawaiian heritage and discover the richness and mystique in the music and culture of his islands.

With an ukulele, his constant companion, Israel would sing and play for anyone who listened. The texture of his voice, the songs and the sound of his resonant ukulele constantly create the feeling that a new, musical Hawaii is emerging. Yet, the basics of his musical inventions remain embedded in the rich, warm, musical soil of his Ni'ihau and Makaha Kapunas. BAND_MEMBERS: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Mel Amina
Michael Muldoon
Gaylord Holomalia

Product Description

Released in 1996, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, better known as IZ is much a part of Hawaii as the beautiful blue oceans. Every cut on this album you can hear the power and majesty that is IZ, which gets into the listeners' heart and soul. "In Dis Life" serves-up a mix of Hawaiian language standards, two hit tunes from local artists, several fresh new songs and a Jawaiian remake of "Starting All Over Again". A must have if you are a fan of IZ's other material.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Giant Voice, July 10, 2002

By 

Christopher Forbes "weirdears" (Brooklyn,, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: N Dis Life (Audio CD)

I love this recording. IZ was a master of Hawaiian music and dedicated to his people and his culture. When he died, it was like the passing of Hawaiian royalty.

This album is perhaps less bittersweet than Facing Future (my favorite IZ album) but it is more consistent. Again, the best tracks are the traditional tracks in Hawaiian. Hi'ilawe is mesmerizing and 'Opae E is a beautiful track, with a tasteful and unabstrusive arrangement. The modern material is also quite beautiful, perhaps not instrinsically, but IZ could take the most mundane material and make it shine. Lover of Mine is a great example. In other hands it would be an undistinguished song, but IZ transforms it with the beauty of his voice.

Highly recommended.

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Hawaiian. 'nuf said, ah?, September 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: N Dis Life (Audio CD)

There can be no mistaking Israel's pure heartened voice. The timbre of his passion for Hawaiiana shows up in every note. True feeling, something lacking in virtually every style of music these days, is laid within the body of his music. The cover of Collin Raye's hit, "In this Life," is enough to show that Israel was more than a beautiful voice of the Islands, but a beautiful person as well. Hopefully his untimely death will not deter the long-deserved resurgence of Hawaiian music in the world. This is a culture full of beauty that the rest of the world may finally get more than just a glimpse of, and mahalo nui loa to Israel for sharing his gift with us in the time he was here.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings a smile everytime, November 8, 2004

By 

T. Kemperle - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: N Dis Life (Audio CD)

My wife and I heard IZ for the first time while on our honeymoon back in June 1997 while on a Helicopter Ride over Kauai. The pilot was playing his music over our headset as background music. At the time we didn't even realize how nice the music was and didn't think to ask the pilot who was singing.

Several days later we were in a shop and once again I heard his voice over the stores speakers and had to have the CD. This is classic Hawaiian music that brings me back to Hawaii every time I hear his music...and that is far since I live in New York.

Several years later I looked him up on the Internet and was heartbroken to learn he passed away...a week after we left Hawaii. I have purchased every CD as well as DVD's that have become available.

IZ died with a huge heart and the world has lost a great singer that believed in Hawaii and the land that was meant to be. You would be surprise to hear how many times you hear his music in movies, commercials and shows. A performer that will be remembered forever.

Tim