There’s a few things in this life that make me especially happy. Family, of course, animals, so cuddly, and music, so joyful! This morning I embarrassed my neighbours by loudly playing the new album from Renee & Jeremy and singing along as loud as my lungs would permit. You see, [...]]]>

There’s a few things in this life that make me especially happy. Family, of course, animals, so cuddly, and music, so joyful! This morning I embarrassed my neighbours by loudly playing the new album from Renee & Jeremy and singing along as loud as my lungs would permit. You see, it’s an album of classic cover versions, and it’s just darn fun.

A Little Love is not only fun for parents, it’s a great way to educate your kids about some classic bands such as a R.E.M and Coldplay. Throw in some Chili Peppers, Lennon, and Supertramp and you’ve got yourself a party! Below is a gorgeous animated video set to Renee & Jeremy’s version of Coldplay’s Yellow, which is a little piece of whimsy!

You can listen to samples of all the songs, or purchase the album, online at Renee & Jeremy.

Yeeeehaa! Got a little bit of a soft spot for country music, a fiddle or two, a laid back easy listening beat and splashes of western swing? The folks at Putumayo Kids will be releasing a new cowboy themed album on 22 May, 2012 and today I thought I’d give [...]]]>

Yeeeehaa! Got a little bit of a soft spot for country music, a fiddle or two, a laid back easy listening beat and splashes of western swing? The folks at Putumayo Kids will be releasing a new cowboy themed album on 22 May, 2012 and today I thought I’d give you a little sneak peek.

Cowboy Playground features 12 tracks that are perfect for singing around the campfire, or listening to at the end of long hard day. You’ll find a few immediately recognisable favourites including sing-a-long classics, “Home on the Range”, “Whoopie Ti Yi Yo”, and “Don’t Fence Me In”. There’s also the upbeat story of Pecos Bill (the toughest critter west of the Alamo), and the thigh slapping “Close ‘em on Up”.

I must say that although I’m not personally a huge fan of country music, I was still able to appreciate listening to this album (especially the old classics). In fact, I even found myself crooning along…

Cowboy Playground by Putumayo Kids will be released on 22 May, 2012.

You can find all the info online, or order your copy through your favourite music retailer.

Hey folks! I hope you had a fun long weekend! We’re back on board this morning with a fun giveaway and a first look at the new music release from our friends Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips. Their album, which drops today, is called Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution, [...]]]>

Hey folks! I hope you had a fun long weekend! We’re back on board this morning with a fun giveaway and a first look at the new music release from our friends Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips. Their album, which drops today, is called Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution, and when it comes to kid’s music, it doesn’t get much more funky than this.

Before I launch into my usual diatribe of all the songs that I love off this album (of which there are many), I thought I’d stop for a minute and share what happened when I first played it to a bunch of 6 – 9 year olds. If you can imagine throwing a box full of high bouncing balls off a balcony into a backyard full of puppies… that’s akin to the fervent (I should I say furr-vent, to further extend my puppy analogy… *zing*!) excitement and craziness that ensued.

Mista Cookie Jar & The Cookie Chips have this old school hip hop sound, with a cheerful inner child chant. In fact, the song of the same name “Inner Child Rock” is my personal favourite and truly sets the tone for the album.

Other tracks I dig include “Lover Not a Fighter” for its Jackson Five vibe, “Magic Shoes” and “Ur the Music” for their sweet story lines, and title track “Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution” for it’s reggae-esque beats.

The song that I’ve decided to share with you today is called “Happy Place” and is the 1st official music video release off Mista Cookie Jar’s 2nd LP, Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution. It was filmed in Santa Monica and Venice, California, and was inspired by… “our regular dinner-party-jam-sessions with some of our closest friends and family”.

You can find purchase info for Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution online at Mister Cookie Jar’s website.

How would you like to score yourself a copy of Mista Cookie Jar & The Cookie Chips new album? We have four copies to giveaway! To enter, just tell us in the comments section below what the words “Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution” mean to you. Four winners will be drawn on 15 May 2012. Open worldwide.

Are you super keen to win a copy of Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution? You can score an extra entry into the prize draw by sharing this competition on your blog, twitter or facebook page. Please leave a separate comment for each so your extra entries can be counted.

You may know Alison Faith Levy from her previous musical adventures with Kindie Rockers, The Sippy Cups. After taking a short hiatus from kid’s music to focus on her grownup band McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Alison is back this month with her debut solo album for children, World of Wonder. [...]]]>

You may know Alison Faith Levy from her previous musical adventures with Kindie Rockers, The Sippy Cups. After taking a short hiatus from kid’s music to focus on her grownup band McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Alison is back this month with her debut solo album for children, World of Wonder. Today I’d like to share a few of my favourite tracks off the album.

Enlisting the help of friend and producer, Allen Clapp (of The Orange Peels), Alison’s World of Wonder takes us on a journey into sound, as influenced by Carole King, Elton John, The Zombies, The Byrds, and The Flaming Lips. Allen and Alison play just about every instrument on this album themselves, with Alsion’s ten-year-old son, Henry, joining in with drums and vocals on a couple of tracks.

Highlights for me on the this album are Alison’s re-imagined version of “Itsy Bitsy Spider”, the visual imagery of “Eye Of The Tornado”, the cheerful melody and harmonies on “Baby Anteater”, and laid back stylings of title track “World of Wonder”.

The last track on the album, which is the one I decided to share with you below, is all about cupcakes… and well, I dig cupcakes!

You’ll find World of Wonder online at iTunes, Amazon or CDbaby.

Hey folks, I’m here to brighten up your afternoon with a kindy rock anthem about a New York City subway station, a beady-eyed-rodent and… a new family pet! The song, aptly named “Rat”, is the debut single from “KinderAngst“. It celebrates individuality and pet care responsibility, set to a rockin’ [...]]]>

Hey folks, I’m here to brighten up your afternoon with a kindy rock anthem about a New York City subway station, a beady-eyed-rodent and… a new family pet! The song, aptly named “Rat”, is the debut single from “KinderAngst“. It celebrates individuality and pet care responsibility, set to a rockin’ Shangri-Las style beat.

KinderAngst’s upcoming album is set in the imaginative world of Alphabet City, a reference to New York City’s Lower East Side…

“With a tough-but-sweet attitude and tons of musical homages from The Ramones to The Shangri-Las, and David Bowie; the cast of vivid KinderAngst characters help kids deal with the growing pains and challenges of childhood, whether it’s not fitting in, friendship trouble, parental disciplines or struggles with independence.”

Track three even features the one and only Debbie Harry… Sweet!

The complete CD will be released on 5 June, 2012.

To listen to more album samples, visit the KinderAngst website.

Get excited folks, our friends from Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band have a new album! “A Potluck” serves up a musical smorgasbord of tasty lyrical numbers that incorporates styles from “indie pop to vintage rock and roll, ska and world beats”. It’s addictive, it’s electric, it’s energetic… and [...]]]>

Get excited folks, our friends from Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band have a new album! “A Potluck” serves up a musical smorgasbord of tasty lyrical numbers that incorporates styles from “indie pop to vintage rock and roll, ska and world beats”. It’s addictive, it’s electric, it’s energetic… and it’s groooooovy man.

The intro track “morning” proclaims, “When I use my imagination, I’m never quite alone”… which sets an adventurous tone for this mighty fine album. Listeners are then taken on a playful day through a 9 fun tracks, before arriving at the final track, “night”, to enjoy the community Potluck Dinner… Mmmm, banana pudding!

Top tracks on this album are many, with songs like “Lemonade Stand” evoking nostalgic memories for Mums and Dads and “On My Bike” inspiring new weekend adventures for the little ones. “Squirrely The Squirrel” and his potato sack race is especially fun for a giggle, a chuckle.. heck, even a guffaw!

I also dig “Lil’ Red Rooster” for the sheer craziness that it evokes in this household. I dare you to play this one loud during the witching hour. Chances are you’ll also love “Who Stole The Cookies” just as much as I do. I mean, really, it’s a classic song set to a groovin’ rock n roll beat!

A Potluck by Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band will be available from 8 May 2012.

For a little taste, you can download the single “Lines and Dots” via iTunes.

The Verdict…. Love it, Buy it, Play it LOUD!

Ammie and Kirra have scored themselves a free MP3.

Would you like to score yourself a free copy of the (digital) single of “Lines and Dots”? We’ve got a couple of MP3 freebies to giveaway. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling us what you love about Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band and we’ll pick a couple of our favourite comments and email you an MP3. Winners drawn on 27 April, 2012.