One World, One Kid (by Various Artists, World music)

Six-year-old Skyler Pia wanted to make a get-well present for a sick friend. The result is this very charming compilation, ONE WORLD, ONE KID, a collection of Putamayo World Music. Skyler narrated the CD with an introduction to each song and a bit of his own singing here and there, then gave it to his pal Erik, who'd recently been diagnosed with cancer. It didn't hurt that Skyler's dad owned a professional recording studio, and that a close family friend happened to be Bonnie Raitt. With her help, the project caught the attention of the folks at Putamayo Records, and an edited version was released as a benefit project for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

This album is lovely -- with authentic yet kid-friendly music from all over the world introduced with Skyler's sincere (not cloying) descriptions of six songs from Cape Verde, Australia, France, Jamaica, Colombia, and the U.S. One World, One Kid is a fine example of a homemade musical gift, and an example of one person making a difference in the world. It's also a very fitting memorial to Skyler's friend Erik, who died of cancer at the age of 10.

Released on: January 22, 2006
Label: Putumayo World Music
Genre: World music