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Sol Hoopii -- Master of the Hawaiian Guitar, Vol. 1-2 (Rounder) Dazzling guitar work by one of the best-known Hawaiian guitarists.

Kalama's Quartet -- Early Hawaiian Classics (Arhoolie) Elegant four-part harmonies and dual steel guitars from the '20s, initially reissued in 1978 on LP.

King Bennie Nawahi -- Hawaiian String Virtuoso: Classic Acoustic Steel Guitar Recordings of the 1920s (Shanachie/Yazoo) Known as the "king of the ukulele," Nawahi was one of the most celebrated pickers on the mainland vaudeville circuit. Includes "Singin' in the Bathtub," later covered by the Cheap Suit Serenaders.

Gabby Pahinui --Best of the Gabby Pahinui Band 1972-1977 (Panini) Graceful, relaxed music from perhaps the greatest slack key guitarist ever. Recorded by Ry Cooder.

Roy Smeck --Plays Hawaiian Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele & Guitar 1926-1949 (Shanachie/Yazoo) A sample of some of the best Hawaiian-style recordings by this hotshot multi-instrumentalist, ranging from straight Hawaiian music to ragtime-y material and jazzy flights.

The Waikiki Steel Works --The Waikiki Steel Works (self-released) A recent album by two Bay Area locals with a sweet tooth for good, old-fashioned Hawaiian picking.

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters (Dancing Cat Records) A lovely set of super-mellow but super-tasteful acoustic guitar music from a label specializing in contemporary Hawaiian acoustic music. Sure, New Age icon George Winston produced this collection, but don't let that fool you.

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Classics (Arhoolie) The ultimate compilation of early acoustic recordings, put together by Bob Brozman in 1981.

On a Coconut Island -- Music of Hawaii(Harlequin) A groovy set of old 78s recorded in Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, and Europe between 1928 and the early 1950s. Features some great Polynesian tongue-twister tunes -- scat singing for the South Seas crowd.

Tickling the Strings: Music of Hawaii -- 1929-1952 (Harlequin) The material on this comp is the most melodic and has the most classically Hawaiian riffs on it.