Aventura Collage, Mariana Iranzi, Mariana Iranzi Music, 2009; $8; www.marianairanzi.com; ages 2 to 10.

The smooth, Astrud Gilberto-infused voice of Argentine-born Mariana Iranzi masters melody in this bilingual CD. Spanish and English songs – from reggae and jazz to bossa nova and folk – create an eclectic mix of genres that gets everyone up and moving!
 

Pink! Rocknoceros, Rocknoceros, LLC, 2009; $15; www.rocknoceros.com; ages 2 to 6.

What do you get when you pair a kazoo with three guys from Virginia? Alternative rock from Rocknoceros, of course! Together with an educational underbelly, Pink! reminds listeners to tell their grandmothers how much they love them, describes how a train moves and the stations it stops at, teaches how to tell time, and more. Singing a capella with barbershop harmonies and imitating the sound of a train with drum brushes gives a glimpse into the imaginative style of this group.
 

The Time Machine, The Sippy Cups, Sippy Songs, 2009; $12.97; www.thesippycups.com; ages 2 to 8.

This San Francisco’s psychedelic kids’ band’s fourth CD is a charm. The Time Machine provides positive life lessons, hilarious comedy audio bits, and, most of all, rockin’ tunes. It’s Alice in Wonderland for the 21st century. Standout songs include “My Angry Voice,” which suggests where anger comes from and how you feel when it’s there. “Seven is the New 14” is a fun play on how age doesn’t really define you. “Major Minor Math Lesson” is a funny comedy bit in the vein of Monty Python that sets up the “fuzzy” math of the next song.
 

Judge's Top Pick! 

Desperation Records/Nettwerk, 2008; $13.99; www.barenakedladies.com; for all ages. This CD may well be “best of show” this year. The band’s gentle, radio-friendly pop translates perfectly to kids’ music: always clever, never cloying, and endlessly witty. The “Crazy ABC’s” song killed me ... and if you don’t look out, “The Ninjas” will kill you!

Best Bang for the Buck!

The Ultimate Lullaby Collection, various artists, Twin Sisters Productions, 2008; $19.99; four CDs & book; www.twinsisters.com; all ages.

This starter kit should be handed out to all new parents. Four beautifully produced lullaby CDs respectively feature: instrumentals, classical music, gentle male/female vocals, and familiar tunes with children’s voices.

Volume 1 features traditional lullabies and Volume 2 celebrates classical music; both albums are performed with orchestra and a mostly synth mix. Volume 3 offers tender, familiar lullabies with gentle male and female vocals that soothe children with mommy- and daddy-like voices and Volume 4 is a rendition of familiar melodies, sung softly by children. Now if your child isn’t asleep after 4 hours of these … ! The addition of the Baby’s First Year Memory Book makes this package an outstanding baby shower gift.
 

Rockabye Baby!, 2007; $16.98; www.rockabyebabymusic.com; for all ages. Proving that a quality pop hook can survive mutation into any genre, Rockabye Baby took the greatest hits of ’90s punk-pop phenoms Green Day and turned them into … lullabies that actually work? Yes! Pretty arrangements on glockenspiel, vibraphone and more turn mosh-time into bedtime, with the added bonus of a giggle for parents as they recognize each tune.

Plum Juice Records, 2008; $15; www.marlalewis.com; for ages 5 to 10. Each song on this CD is a story or a landscape, with music ranging from Latin rhythms (“Whenever Celia Sings,” the story of salsa queen Celia Cruz) to the Broadway-inspired, chatty style of the title track. Lewis’ voice melts like “buttah” and every song hits the mark – this CD is a keeper! Don’t miss the absolutely true tale of “Mighty Jackie, the Strikeout Queen,” a skinny 17-year-old girl who in 1931 struck out the two greatest batters in baseball. 

Best Bang for the Buck Winner!

 

Putumayo Kids, 2008; $14.98; www.putumayo.com; for all ages. This cultural kaleidoscope of soothing music from Africa is a fine introduction to a plethora of great African artists.

 

"This collection of music grows with children, and provides more than two hours of relaxed listening for everyone. And, it puts kids to sleep. Now that's priceless!" - judge comment

 

For more NAPPA-winning world music from Putumayo, check out: 

Best Bang for the Buck Winner!   

Audible Chocolate Productions, 2007; $24.95 double CD; www.stardustlullaby.com; for all ages. Two and a half hours of gorgeous lullabies arranged for piano and acoustic guitar with orchestral touches will cure the most stubborn case of insomnia.

Putumayo Kids, 2008; $14.98; www.putumayo.com; for all ages. This intro to island culture features loads of Hawaiian artists – and musicians who wished they lived in Hawaii, too (don’t we all?), like Texan Joe McDermott, who slips a ukelele-tuning lesson into “Come to Hawaii.” This album includes up-tempo and down-tempo tunes in English and Hawaiian, tempting listeners to learn the hula or improvise. Halfway through this fun and silly island party, you’ll be thinking about booking a flight to Hawaii!

 

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