Flor Bromley's Cultural Climate World Stew

It's no secret that the planet is undergoing a dangerous climate crisis. Youthful environmental activists like Greta Thunberg have activated a new generation of voices engaged in preserving our natural resources to save our lives. Just in time for Pachamama Raymi (the August Latin American celebration of Mother Earth) comes Peruvian-American children's music performer Flor Bromley and her fourth collection, PACHAMAMA, released by 8 Pound Gorilla Records.

Pachamama translates to "mother Earth" in Quechua, the language of Flor's Peruvian ancestors. The bilingual panorama of PACHAMAMA boasts an embarrassment of similar-minded, progress-thinking artists, such as Laurie Berkner, Justin Lansing (from the Okee Dokee Brothers), Elena Moon Park, Austin, Texas hop-hop star SaulPaul, and a pair of Peruvian folk-pop artists, Wendy Sulca and Miss Laurita.

Flor received an "alternative" education after receiving a scholarship to study Musical Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and moved to New York City in 2007. A paucity of roles for latinx performers (a term not even in vogue at the time) and existing stereotypes caused her to pivot her career. More than a decade (and four CDs later), Flor uses her unique perspective to stir a tasty Latin-American stew, blending styles from around the world – Andean huayno, bachata from the Dominican Republic, tanguillo from Cadiz, Tex-Mex quebradita, tango, country/folk, and Peruvian hip-hop fusion.

The high wire balancing act of man versus nature is at the heart of PACHAMAMA, with Laurie Berkner joining Flor on an English version of the Hawaiian-inspired "The Ocean," and Miss Laurita dueting on the Spanish track. The preceding song, "Drop of Water," stresses the value of clean drinking water. "Mother Nature" declares the beauty and majesty revealed in the secrets of the Earth. Elana Moon Park's fiddling will get youngsters up and dancing to the countrified "Totora House" (with Justin Lansing on vocals and banjo). If you were not old enough to recall Simon and Garfunkel's 1970s rendition of "El Condor Pasa," Flor and SaulPaul revive the tune for Generation C on "Peas and Carrots." 

Musical theater's loss is children's music's gain, as Flor Bromley delivers another strong entry in 2021. PACHAMAMA mixes feel-good melodies with insightful lyrics and timely messaging. Flor definitely earns her Master's degree with this passionate collection.

You can find PACHAMAMA at Flor Bromley's website, Apple Music, Spotify, Bandcamp, and Amazon Music.

The video for "Pachamama" features Flor Bromley (in her local park) and Wendy Sulca (from Peru), through the magic of video editing:

New Videos from Twinkle and the Oot n'Oots

Power pop empress Twinkle Time (Alitzah Wiener Navarro Dallas) recently made her debut on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live on a duet with SaulPaul. Now rocks out with her own new song, available in both English and Spanish, "Its Ok 2 Be Me"/ "A Mi Me Gusta Ser Yo." Grab either version at her website, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and Deezer.

Her series of live Kids Club concert series continues with with in-person performances on Saturday mornings at 11 AM at the Sherman Oaks Galleria with Zany Zoe (July 17), Megan the Bubbeologist (July 24), and Arty Loon (July 31).

Twinkle continues to host a weekly two-hour children's music Top 20 Countdown. Artists on recent shows included Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Little Miss Ann, Suger Free All Stars, Koo Koo Kanga Roo, and way too many to list. The show is available on Pittsburgh's family-friendly radio station Jump 105.3 on Saturday mornings at 8 AM ET and can be downloaded as a podcast from Apple, Audible, Podbean, and iHeart.

Here is her new video for "It's Ok 2 Be Me":

Memorial songs are a long-standing tradition in music. Occasionally, they even have some social message (see "Ode to Billie Joe" about a closeted gay teen committing suicide). Material that dark generally doesn't trickle down to children's music, although death is a necessary function of life. In that respect, the Oot n' Oots are filling the void with "Pets," a tribute song to Moses, their lamented, beloved cat.

The pride of Western Canada, the family ensemble Oots consists of 14-year-old Ruth Cipes, her father Ezra, and uncles Ari, Gabe, and Matthew. "Pets" is the first of three songs (and videos) being released throughout the summer, leading to the band's third full-length album in September. The previous two collections seesawed between diverse subjects ("Thank You Universe" and "Apple Tree") to outright comedy ("I Like It Saucy" and "Electric Jellyfish Boogaloo").

Choosing an upbeat (but somber) orchestral feel, "Pets" sets its tone with violin performances from Canada's Okanagan Symphony Orchestra members Sarah Anderson and Ashley Kroecher. The visuals for the accompanying video were created by Kymber Dawn, a n animator who recently graduated from the band's local digital arts institute, the Center for Arts and Technology in Kelowna. The Oots hope Moses finds "Pets" to be a purrfect tribute (excuse the cheesy pun).

Here is the video for "Pets" from the Oot n'Oots:

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 26, 2021

Helicopter Leaves – Ants Ants Ants
Finally – Franz Ferdinand
You Are Magic – Alison Faith Levy
Etymology – Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band
I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band
Goin For a Walk – Jack Forman

Itty Bitty Beats' Bubble Up, Red Pants Band's Worldly Words

Public funding for the arts was imperiled during the past few years in the United States, but it's still thriving in other countries such as New Zealand. The independent "NZ On Air" program provides government funding that allows performers such as the Itty Bitty Beats to deliver quality and diverse public media. The duo (Jenny Payne and Lucy Hiku) met at Jazz School in Christchurch in 2002 and started recording children's music four years ago after the birth of their children (Keeping things in the family, Jenny’s husband Rob Payne has produced all of their music). The Beats' have released music that reaches emotional highs (Christmas in July) and lows (Baby Loss Awareness).

Their new six-song ITTY BITTY BUBBLES EP received NZ on Air funding and it's filled with more froth and frolicking than you might think was ever possible. Working under the premise that bubbles are a fun, intensive sensory activity to share with youngsters, Jenny and Lucy deliver tunes that range from 60s pop ("Bubbles In My Bathtub" sounds like Herman's Hermit's "I'm Into Something Good") to show tunes ("Bubble Storm") to rockabilly ("Bubble Shop").

ITTY BITTY BUBBLES is available from the Itty Bitty Beats' website, Amazon, Apple Music, and Spotify.

Here is the lyric video for "Bubble Shop":

It's been awhile since Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band released new music, but their new CD is coming on August 20 from 8 Lb Gorilla Records. In the meantime, Danny has released "Words," a new single featuring his family and lead vocals by bandmate Tina Kenny Jones. Danny is especially stoked about the accompanying video, which was created by 25 animators from six countries. The pop tune illustrates (literally) the power of words and the impact our individual words can have, both negative and positive. Grab the song from Danny's website, Amazon, Deezer, or Apple Music.

You can watch the video here:

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 20, 2021

Give Yourself a Present – Jack Forman
Buenos Dias – The Lucky Band
Winter Bird / When Winter Comes – Paul McCartney
Clown Shoes – Ratboy Jr.
Champion of the Spelling Bee (Acoustic) – Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band
Turn Around – Alison Faith Levy

Fyütch Makes Kids Music a Family Reunion

Social justice is all about education. Not all children's music has to educate. A new generation of performers is learning how to tailor their music to expand minds as well as teach dance steps. Straight from the Bronx, New York (my hometown) comes Fyütch with FAMILY TREE, his first release of tunes specifically for kids and their extended support systems.

While not as fully vested in the afrofuturism movement as fellow musician Pierce Freelon (who guests on "This Kwanzaa" on this collection), Fyütch seeks to celebrate Black history and its culture. With a host of notable collaborators, he uses hiphop, rap, soul, R&B, reggae, and more. Fyütch also adroitly addresses the climate emergency and recycling ("Pick It Up"), general compassion ("Empathy" with Grammy winner Lucy Kalantari), and appropriation of native lands ("Indigenous Peoples' Day" with Radmilla Cody, Navajo/African-American musician/activist.).

Life lessons are a paramount concern for Fyütch, who has a three-year-old daughter (Aura, pictured with him on the album cover). Stressing that "Black history is American history," Fyütch turns the spotlight on “Black Women in History,” with Rissi Palmer and Snooknuk, including living honorees include Stacey Abrams, Kamala Harris, and Dr. Kizzmekia “Kizzy” Corbett, as well as past figures Fannie Lou Hamer, Claudette Colvin, J Frankie Pierce, Rebecca Crumpler, Jane Hinton, and Alfreda Webb. With guidance from historian Dr. Sherri Mehta, Fyütch delivers "Juneteenth" with the Alphabet Rockers, chronicling the emancipation of African-Americans in a post-slavery North America.

"Black Lives Matter" encompasses more than mutual respect with law enforcement. It's demonstrably more difficult for Black citizens to find success or reach their goals. Fyütch and SaulPaul broach this topic on “Graduation Bop,” pointing out how both of them were the first in their families to earn a Bachelor’s degree. Among the other artists on FAMILY TREE are Divinity Roxx on "Family Reunion," Uncle Jumbo on "My Crown" (about Black hair styling), and Shine (from the Moonbeams) on the title track. The album features three generations of his family and interstitial conversations with Grandpa Charles, Great Aunt Alberta, and Aunty Sheila.

The year 2021 is harvesting a bumper crop of social justice children's music projects, resetting the genre from the roots up. Fyütch uses FAMILY TREE to plant the seeds of social justice and activism among his young audiences, while delivering hook-laden music to grow children into Generation C warriors.

FAMILY TREE is available on Fyutch's website, Amazon, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for "Juneteenth" from Fyutch, featuring the Alphabet Rockers:

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 19, 2021

The Less I Know The Better – Tame Impala
The Kiss Of Venus – Paul McCartney
Floating to Mars – Jack Forman
It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
Alliteration – Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band
Roots & Branches – Alison Faith Levy
One Of The Boys 3:51 – Huey Lewis & The News

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo's Bach-Fest Folklore Journey

"Success has many fathers, failure is an orphan." 

That saying (often inaccurately attributed to John F. Kennedy) rang in my head while I listened to THE BEAT BACH SYMPHONIES, the new mashup of hiphop with world and classical music, crafted by Grammy winner Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. The project features the Asheville, North Carolina Symphony and a number of global performers representing West Africa, Peru, Japan, Egypt, and the native North American Cherokee Nation.

After seven full-length albums, 14 EPs, a vinyl record, and a pair of books, Cactus (Skidoo) needed to mountains to climb. Luckily he found a host of guides from different cultures, delighted to share their folk stories and incorporate them into the music in his head, for this go-round based on melodies by German baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Cactus's thesis matched folktales with structurally similar Bach tunes. Assisted by his collaborators, they crafted the lyrics to remain faithful to their origins, merging indigenous instrumentation with modern hiphop beats. 

Rather than respectfully borrow the musical stylings from these individual musicians and storytellers, Cactus invited them into his playground. Recognizing that these stories came from their societies, Cactus took the role of guest and let his co-songwriters deliver the narratives. The diverse cast of THE BEAT BACH SYMPHONIES includes Iranian-American rapper E-Turn ("Chasing Dreams"), Cherokee Nation storyteller John John Grant Jr. (flute and narration on "Origin Story"), and Peruvian rapper QosqoRuna ("Graveyard Shift"), among others. 

There's a finite amount of story content that one can distribute in a four-minute setting, while still maintaining the entirety of its significant message. "Chasing Dreams" is a Middle Eastern tale dating back more than 1,000 years. Peruvian folklore is examined in "Graveyard Shift," as a young woman uses a cemetery to test her suitors. The 2020 pandemic is lightly touched on during "Origin Story," a Cherokee fable about a planetary disease and how mankind reacts to it. Can you steal a delicious smell? That's the focus of the comical West African-based "Common Scents." The Japanese legend "Looking Back" closes the lyrical section of the release, with koto player Kozue Matsumoto wistfully recounting how the power of love transcends death and helps us survive through tough times. The five original tracks are followed by instrumentals that allow listeners to hear the full scope of the arrangements.

Cactus is just dipping his toe in the multicultural pool with THE BEAT BACH SYMPHONIES. His master thesis is a full program for elementary school children that he hopes to roll out this September. He has already recorded a rhyme-writing workshop (complete with worksheets and beats) and intends to deliver lesson plans where kids can hear performers speak firsthand about how their diverse cultural upbringings shaped their storytelling and musical sensibilities. We can all celebrate the release of new music from Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. Cactus shares the success of THE BEAT BACH SYMPHONIES with a large group of people from around the world. That's not classical, that's just classy.

THE BEAT BACH SYMPHONIES is available from Secret Agent 23 Skidoo's website, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is the Secret Agent 23 Skidoo video for his song, "Young Soul":

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 14, 2021

The Moment – Tame Impala
Remind Me Why I Love You Again – Huey Lewis & The News
Floating to Mars – Jack Forman
I Hear America Singing – Red Yarn ft. 123 Andrés
One – Aaron Nigel Smith

Life's a Thrill Ride for Jack Forman

Everyone gets older. It's a fact. For this reason, children's recording artists constantly must cultivate new audiences. Once a performer cycles through an entire family's lineup (from big brother straight down to baby sister), teens generally move on to more contemporary tunes. That's the "Cat's in the Cradle" situation in which I find myself; reviewing music that is mostly irrelevant to both of my sons...with a few exceptions. When I tell my younger son (10) that I've got an "exciting new release," he may roll my eyes, until I tell him that it's Recess Monkey or a related CD from venerable Recess Monkey man (and SiriusXM Kids Place Live host) Jack Forman. 

That brings me to Jack's new 12-song CD, CAN'T BUY A THRILL RIDE, conceived in COVID and performed in PJs. A longtime elementary school teacher, Jack used his training in the art of listening to kid-driven ideas to generate his first three solo CDs. Recess Monkey, consisting of Jack and fellow teachers Drew Holloway and Korum Bischoff, has generated 14 CDs and performed for audiences for nearly two decades. 

The pandemic presented new challenges (you don't say) that Jack faces head-on with new this (Steely Dan tribute titled) collection. Jack had a home office head start, having broadcast "Live From the Monkey House" from his Seattle, Washington remote studio for the past seven years. He kicks things off with the jaunty "PJ Year," a song that celebrates the luxury of sleepwear. Jack addresses the need for little victories and self-gratification on the doo-wop ditty "Give Yourself A Present." Two boisterous kids in Zoom classroom sessions inspired "Plates Spinning," one of the "parents-in-purgatory" tunes. Another is "No Parking," where Jack and family wind up moving into a lot they perpetually circle, never finding an open spot.

As far as family fantasy goes, Jack creates a brand new Jewish holiday creature on "Hanukktopus," an eight-day mascot that all kids can embrace more fully than the nebulous Hanukkah Harry. He continues to indulge his passion for all things Star Wars with "Cars for the Stars," fancying himself a used auto dealer suggesting "There's the Mandolorian, try a DeLorean" and "For Jar Jar Binks, I got a Mercury Lynx." For homes that have pets, Jack sings from the persona of a dog longing to get outside on "Goin' For A Walk." Jack wraps up (the collection and the pandemic) with "The Beginning," as the world starts to reopen as "each new day sees the story change, from page to page."

The year 2021 is almost half-over and we've already seen the remarkable optimism of kids' music produced during the darkest times of their young lives. Jack Forman delivers unabashed, upbeat fun for family audiences. Maybe you CAN'T BUY A THRILL RIDE. Few of us have the financial resources or the real estate. But you can give your kids a quick slip and slide through Jack's compelling new compilation.

CAN'T BUY A THRILL RIDE is available from Jack Forman's website, Amazon, Apple Music, and Spotify.

Here is a video for Jack's song, "Yodeling Yoda":

New Music from Red Yarn & Friends and Father Goose

Red Yarn (Andy Furgeson) loves to make music with his friends. His compatriots are a pretty integrated bunch of folks and when they get together, it's a joyous sound. Inspired by Inauguration Day poetess Amanda Gorman (as well as Walt Whitman and a host of others), Andy wrote "I Hear America Singing." The song features 123 Andrés on guest vocals, with backing vocals provided by Kymberly Stewart, Little Miss Ann, Aaron Nigel Smith, Dean Jones (who also produced the track), his wife Jessie, and his son's first grade class at the Woodlawn Elementary School. 

Born in Texas but currently based in New York, visual artist Arielle Wilkins of Brothas N Sistas created the artwork for the lyric video (below). Dave Gulick of Ants Ants Ants provided motion graphics and animation. There's a strong message in these lyrics, about reaching across the aisle for common ground:

Today I heard some joyful music

I sure know some folks could use it

To heal the holes in their broken hearts

To be the soundtrack for a fresh start

Andy's got more music coming later this year, and a full CD expected possibly by year's end. All those credits are a mouthful, but the result is the following song about citizenship and community:

The ever-prolific Father Goose has returned with a summer song about friendship and positive emotions. "Spread Love" (instead of coronavirus, perhaps) features singer Danni Ai, a regular on the recent spate of Goose songs. FG spent his pandemic crafting a series of songs with his rotating touring crew, making music that could be viewed remotely, as the "King of the Family House Party" was sidelined from doing live show in performance spaces. "Spread Love" is a slow reggae tune, perfectly in tune with the recent heat wave. You can grab the song on Spotify. You can also view the video for "Spread Love" here:

Leeds and Mason Embrace 'Endless Summer'

All the people involved in the children's music industry deserve a relaxing summer experience. However, Joanie Leeds is definitely at the front of the line. The New York singer/songwriter had the keen timing to release ALL THE LADIES, her gender-affirming CD, right as the pandemic shut the world in spring 2020. But wait, there's more. Her Grammy nomination (and eventual win) occurred during a controversy about the seeming exclusion of artists of color (In protest, three of the other five nominees withdrew their music from consideration).

For her first post-pandemic project, Leeds turned to the sunny side, literally, in "Endless Summer," a collaboration with British musician Rachel Walker Mason, who was named a 2020 "Woman of the Year" and was called "an inspiration" by Prince Harry. A mental health advocate in the United Kingdom, Mason serves as a Maternal Mental Health Ambassador. She wrote a book, "Not the Only One," to address parents who are suffering from Post-Natal Depression, which affects 1 in 7 mothers (and 1 in 10 fathers) from all races, ethnicities, cultures and educational and economic backgrounds. Mason also created Unlock Your Talent, an international arts festival which garnered worldwide acclaim for its support and fundraising for mental health. 

Mason reached out to Leeds earlier this year and the duo bonded over a plethora of mutual interests, related to both music and social justice. Not to be confused with the classic Beach Boys greatest hits compilation, the Leeds/Mason "Endless Summer" is an on-pitch hummable earworm, produced to Los Angeles kids music duo Andrew and Polly. Leeds had been looking for the right opportunity to work with animator Elli Schäffter and the timing came together in perfect synchronicity. The song (which works on another level as a pandemic metaphor) is all about coming out of a dark place and beginning a new day in the sunlight. "Endless Summer" crosses Dee-Lite with Vitamin D, delivering on the eternal promise that anything is possible "once you kick off your shoes with the doors open wide." 

Download "Endless Summer" from Joanie Leeds' website, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for "Endless Summer":

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, July 6, 2021

I Am There For You – Huey Lewis & The News
Conversation Heart – Jack Forman
Bird With A Broken Wing – Weezer
Chasing Dreams – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Lo/Hi – The Black Keys
Fanga Alafia – Aaron Nigel Smith

Esther Crow's Puppets Have Purpose

Jim Henson realized that puppets make learning easier (and more fun). A puppet's primary appeal (tactile look and interactive feel) is thwarted through the aural medium. Nevertheless, performers persevere. And video provides a way to introduce those puppets to a new audience. As the world reopens and live concerts blossom anew, those performers prepare to engage with those kids. And that's exactly what Esther Crow, founder of Thunder & Sunshine, is experiencing right now as she mounts a summer tour to support for her solo CD, ALL TOGETHER NOW.

Esther spent her pandemic year pivoting to remote showcases, like many other children's music performers. She also made the decision to use more ecologically- and socially-conscious material. Coronavirus demonstrated the ability of kids to adapt to new circumstances. We can't go back to the way things were (denying climate change, suppressing votes, minimizing minority expression) and Esther used her voice (sometimes with puppets created by Jeff Lewoncyzk) to distract, amuse, but also educate her young audiences.

Like many artists in the kids' music space, Esther's resumé looks like a Venn diagram, with a punk rock band (The Electric Mess), her six-woman children's band Thunder & Sunshine, and her solo career, as well as numerous songwriting competitions and awards. The 10 tracks (and additional interstitial puppet intros and sketches) on ALL TOGETHER NOW were helmed by Grammy-winning über-producer Dean Jones. 

The jazzy "Bees, Beavers, and Bats" features Esther and Grammy winner Lucy Kalantari sharing vocals about how these creatures assist with photosynthesis and other facets of nature. "Ocean" is a soaring ballad (and environmental call-to-action) about the importance of these bodies of water across the planet. There are also soulful songs about creatures such as "Inchworm," (not the classic kids tune), "Caterpillar," (not the truck) and "I'm A Muskrat." Esther brings everything into 20/20 focus with the first single from the album, "It's So Easy Bein' Green" and "Hard To Be Happy," an emotional response to our shared pandemic ordeal. As the world heals and kids demand normalcy sooner rather than later, Esther delivers music (and puppets) that brings everyone all together now.

ALL TOGETHER NOW is available from Esther Crow's website, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for the song "Hard To Be Happy":