It seems that there’s been a huge increase in kids and family music titles being released over the past few weeks, and this one is no exception. From Kindie to Lullabies, World Music to Soundtracks, there’s a little something for everyone hitting the racks (both physical and virtual) today, September 25, 2012. Check out some select titles below…
OZOMATLI presents OzoKids
{source}
{/source}
The multi-genre Los Angeles band jumps into the world of children’s music with their debut full-length collection of “OzoKids” tracks. Look for a full review on The Rock Father in the near future.
ELENA MOON PARK & FRIENDS – Rabbit Days and Dumplings
{source}{/source}
An all-ages album of folk and children’s songs from East Asia “rediscovered and reinterpreted for the 21st century family.” Featuring an assortment of songs from China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Tibet, this album also features guest appearances by Dan Zanes, Wu Man, the Kronos Quartet, Ikue Mori, and members of Bang on a Can.
BEN RUDNICK & FRIENDS – Love is a Superpower
{source}{/source}
The 10th Studio Album from Ben Rudnick & Friends finds the band upping the “jam band” flavor with guest appearances from bassist M’talewa Thomas (Entrain, Grateful Dread), fiddler Kenny Kosek (James Taylor, Jerry Garcia, Willie Nelson), trombonist Jon Garniss (Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, The Four Tops), trumpet player Rick Hammett (Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, The Temptations), and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Bird (Cowboy Junkies).
FRANKENWEENIE – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Danny Elfman
{source}{/source}
Danny Elfman collaborates with Tim Burton once more to craft a score for his upcoming family-fright film, FRANKENWEENIE (out October 5 via Walt Disney Pictures). I have yet to hear this one, but if you’re interested in introducing your little ones to the world of film music, I can’t think of a better composer to start with than Danny Elfman.
FRANKENWEENIE UNLEASHED – Various Artists
{source}{/source}
To complement the above score, Disney is taking a page from their own playbook, bringing in some popular artists to tackle songs from Burton’s new movie, just as they did with A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS on the NIGHTMARE REVISITED album. NEON TREES, KAREN O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), ROBERT SMITH (The Cure), AWOLNATION, GRACE POTTER & THE FLAMING LIPS, and more take part.
PETE’S DRAGON – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Reissue)
{source}{/source}
Disney reissues the original soundtrack to their 1977 classic featuring HELEN REDDY, MICKEY ROONEY, IRWIN KOSTAL, SHELLY WINTERS, RED BUTTONS, and more.
LULLABY VERSIONS OF PRINCE (Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star) Vs. LULLABY RENDITIONS OF PRINCE (Rockabye! Baby)
The two heavyweights of rock & pop lullabies square off by releasing competing collections devoted to the purple-suited one, PRINCE. I’m sad that neither company decided to do “Batdance” from 1989’s BATMAN 🙁
LULLABY VERSIONS OF DREAM THEATER (Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star)
{source}{/source}
The long-running progressive rock band gets the lullaby treatment via Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star.
Have YOU found any great music to share with your family lately? If so, chime in via the comments section below!
