The Colored Pencil Factory - Astrograss

Artist: Astrograss 

Album: The Colored Pencil Factory

Age Range: 3 through 8

Description: There's not a lot of bluegrass available for kids, but Brooklyn-based band Astrograss flies the newgrass flag proudly.  There are few traditional songs on the album ("Shortenin' Bread" and "Sail Away Ladies," to name a couple), but for the most part they're originals.  Some are more traditional in their approach to their subject matter ("Playground"), but more of the originals are songs that meander into and out of wild Shel Silverstein-inspired territory (a sick kid wishing for a "Brand New Nose," dreaming of life in colors from "The Colored Pencil Factory").  Although the subjects are geared toward kids, the solos are every bit as complex as what you'd hear on albums targeted at adults.

The 49-minute album is most appropriate for kids ages 5 through 9.    Recommended for bluegrass fans and for families looking for some variety in their daily diet of 3-minute kid-friendly pop-rock songs.

Shine and the Moonbeams - Shine and the Moonbeams

Artist: Shine and the Moonbeams

 Album: Shine and the Moonbeams

Age Range : 4 through 10

Description: Most of what I wanted to say about the long-awaited debut album from the New York City band I said in my NPR review of the album, but I wanted reemphasize how happy that Shawana Kemp finally got her album out into the world.  While it's not really the first R&B and soul album in kids music, it's the first that got the sometimes insular "kids music world" excited.  And while it's the songs that deal with real-life social issues like bullying and self-respect that could give this album a long shelf life with schools and families, I'm also looking forward to sillier, groovier, jazzier songs along the lines of "Do You Ever Stop" and "Shake for Eight."  Lots of fun, lets hope the success of this one makes the follow-up come out faster.  Definitely recommended.

Note: I received a copy of this album for possible review. 

Good Morning My Love - Vered

Artist:  Vered

Album:  Good Morning My Love

Age Range: 0 - 3

Description:  The New York-based musician Vered tackles a mostly-overlooked niche -- original songs (not lullabies) for the very youngest kids.  There are tons of albums for the 4-to-8-year-olds, or collections of traditional songs and lullabies, but Good Morning My Love  is targeted directly at babies (and maybe young toddlers).  Songs about exploring things orally ("Hands In My Mouth") or the desire to have parents nearby ("Don't Leave Me") speak to the developmental needs of the very young).  Produced by fellow kindie musician and relative Jon Samson, there's a light, organic feel to the music (lots of a capella and hand/finger rhythms in addition to the occasional guitar, uke, and random real instrument), which is appropriate given that the hope is that the listener then sings these songs to his or her baby.  (Listen to a sampler here.)  These are fun songs, and while they're targeted at the very youngest set, some are catchy enough that parents (and kids) might remember a couple of them at the kindergarten swing set.  Recommended.

Live from Brooklyn - Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could

Artist: Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could

Album:​ Live from Brooklyn

Age Range:​ 3 to 9

Description:​ Rymer's 2011 album Love Me For Who I Am​ was an album inspired by and to some extent recorded for students at a school for children with alternative learning styles, but its empathy and Rymer's genial roots-rock sound helped make that album have a wider appeal.  This live EP recorded that spring at Southpaw in Brooklyn draws primarily from that album, but also features Rymer's raved-up version of hit "Jump Up," the tender "I'm In Here," and one funky "Ding Dong."  And, as always, The Little Band That Could, who years ago I said "might just be the best-sounding band in kids music," still sounds pretty darn good.  Recommended, especially if your family has never heard or seen the band live.

[Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this album for possible review.]​

WeBop: A Family Jazz Party! - Jazz at Lincoln Center (feat. Matt Wilson)

Artist: Jazz at Lincoln Center's WeBop program

Album: WeBop: A Family Jazz Party!

Age Range: 2-7

Description: "My favorite jazz-for-kids album since at least Putumayo's Jazz Playground disk from a couple years ago, and definitely my favorite non-compilation since the great Medeski, Martin & Wood album Let's Go Everywhere... Highly recommended." / Full review