Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this CD offers a selection of kid-safe reggae songs, some with inspiring messages (one reminds us how lucky we are compared to many others in the world).
Families can talk about the fact that the liner notes are in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and German. Parents can ask kids why they think reggae has such universal appeal.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
We dare you to find anything wrong with Putumayo Kids' REGGAE PLAYGROUND, a CD that is so exquisitely produced, performed, sequenced, and mixed that this review is likely to be pretty darn boring, because all we can say is "Wow."
The infectious, multi-lingual offerings are not in any way condescending to kids -- in fact, songs like "Le Vieil Elephant," performed in French by Alain Schneider, and former Bob Marley backup singer Judy Mowatt's "Let's Dance" manage to be both musically challenging and all-ages-accessible. The magic of this CD is that it's inclusive without being condescending, kid-friendly without allowing for a moment of parental tedium.
The songs are sophisticated, beautifully performed and arranged, and yet innocent enough for the youngest child to appreciate and enjoy.
High points include the first track, "Rootsman Dread" by Johnny Dread, about the magical Rootsman Dread, a kind of Rasta-Claus who brings positive vibrations to people everywhere with his reggae beats and long dreadlocks.
Rita Marley's "Harambe" is fantastic, and those two familiar reggae takes on rock "classics" -- "Here Comes the Sun" by The Burning Souls, and "Take Me Home Country Roads" by Toots and the Maytals -- are included, predictably enough.
But the most exceptional moments seem to occur in between the familiar hits, on songs like "Turning World," by Eric Bibb, the son of Leon Bibb's (remember him?). This song reminds us how lucky we are compared to many others in the world. "Mouse in the House," by Marty Dread and "Ying Yang" by Jessica are both beautifully performed without losing their sense of fun.
So, do you get the feeling we really like this CD? Good. Go buy it. Play it over and over again and dance and sing along, with or without your kids.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual Content |
 |
|
|
|
Violence |
|
|
|
|
Language |
|
|
|
|
Message |
|
|
|
|
Social BehaviorVery good messages about social consciousness. |
 |
 |
|
|
Commercialism |
|
|
|
|
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
|
|
|
|
