Music Is Everywhere - Mista Cookie Jar

Music Is Everywhere cover

Artist: Mista Cookie Jar

Album: Music Is Everywhere

Age Range:  5 to 9

Description:  C.J. Pizarro does not discriminate one bit when it comes to musical genre, and his latest Mista Cookie Jar album shows once more why he's as good as anyone in turning a broad-based musical taste into a set of positive vibes.  From the sugary hype of "Jelly Beans" to the doo wop of "Be a Little Angel" to the hip hop of the title track, MCJ runs gleefully through most of the genres in your family's iTunes playlist and then some.  And while sometimes those albums that feature a variety of styles sound a bit... constructed (as if someone just decides, "on track 6, let's play a reggae song"), the stew all fits together as a whole here.  (Listen for yourself here.)  And any album that includes a track called "Gratitude" and manages to make the sentiment honest without unearned sentimentality -- like this one -- earns respect from this end.  Can't say I liked every single track ("Jelly Beans" is tooo hyped up for my taste), but way more "Yay!" than "meh."  Definitely recommended.

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

The Playground Zone - Alphabet Rockers

The Playground Zone album cover

Artist: Alphabet Rockers

Album: The Playground Zone

Age Range: 3 to 7

Description: On this brief (17-minute) EP, the Bay Area hip hop musicians Kaitlin McGaw and Tommy Shepherd wear the educational mission they have lightly.  Yes, they sing songs about encouraging fair play on the playground ("Players' Life") and skin color ("Gimme Some Skin"), but it sounds way better than most kids' songs that tackle similar topics.  Since first joining the kindie scene more than 5 years ago, the Rockers have gradually broadened their musical sound -- it's still hip hop, to be sure, but the musical bed (and beats) on which the rhymes lie is fuller and richer.  (Fans of old school hip hop are definitely welcome.)  And while I respect their educational mission, it's tracks like the dance-encouraging "Wiggle Jiggle" that make me hope Kaitlin and Tommy will throw in the occasional goofy track or plain story just for kicks.  (You can listen to the album here.)  Recommended.

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

Big Don's Brand New Beat - Big Don

Artist: Big Don

Album: Big Don's Brand New Beat

Age Range: Ages 3 through 7

Description: The Austin-based hip-hop Don Robinson comes back with a second album of kid hip-hop targeted at older pre-schoolers and younger elementary school listeners.  The beats are OK, but compared to, say, KBC Kids, Big Don's vocals are much more the focus.  He's more of a storyteller ("The Tortoise and the Hare") and as a result the songs are a shade slower, so your kids might do less bouncing on their feet and more bouncing on their couch cushions.

Milk Money - KBC Kids

Artist: KBC Kids

Album: Milk Money

Age Range: Ages 3 through 7

Description: There have been more than a handful attempts at hip-hop for kids, but, oddly enough, few relatively successful ones.  Not sure exactly why that is, because getting kids to dance while playing with words should be a natural.  Lyrically, the 24-minute Milk Money is pretty bland ("Kids Mean the World" is about as prosaic as the title), but the beats and loops are definitely a step up from most kid-hop and some of the tracks like "I Like Summer" and "Good Time" are very catchy.  Stream the entire album below.