Putumayo Kids - European Playground
European Playground by Putumayo Kids Presents (2009-05-19)
by Putumayo Kids
Good Condition. (Pamphlet and CD are in Very Good Condition. Original pictorial cardboard case has some wear on one corner)
One of the nice things about Putumayo World Music's children-oriented compilations is the fact that they don't talk down to kids. Putumayo assumes that kids have some intelligence; as a result, the compilations they include in the Putumayo Kids series are not dumbed down. And this 2009 release is no exception. Like other compilations that Putumayo has assembled for that series, Putumayo Kids Presents: European Playground has a brain and is fun without being mindless. The focus of this 34-minute, 15-song CD is world music from different parts of Europe (both west and east), and diversity prevails on a disc that offers everything from Celtic music (Ian F. Benzie's "I'se the B'y" from Scotland, Sharon Shannon's "Sandy River Belle" from Ireland) to gypsy swing (Alain Le Lait's "En Voici, En Voilà" from France) to French-language pop-rap (Les Déménageurs' "Bonjour Tout Va Bien" from Belgium). Putumayo has long had a way of finding unlikely combinations that work perfectly well; the Athens-based Locomondo's "Den Kanei Krio" is ska performed in Greek, while De Band Krijgt Kinderen' "Alles Uit De Kast" is ska performed in Dutch. Meanwhile, Hungarian group Alma Zenekar's "Tudom Én Már Mit Csinálok" favors an African pop sound, but with lyrics in Hungarian. European Playground is not only potentially beneficial for kids in that it exposes them to a variety of musical styles, but also, because it exposes them to a variety of languages (only a few of the tracks are in English). During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama had an excellent point when he said that in a global economy, American parents should make sure their kids learn two or three foreign languages -- and music can be a great way to get them used to hearing foreign languages at an early age. But again, the fact that European Playground was designed with children in mind doesn't mean that adults can't enjoy it as well. This likable, if brief, compilation is recommended to world music enthusiasts of all ages.
About the Artist
Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. The label grew out of Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. Co-founder Michael Kraus joined Dan to launch Putumayo World Music and establish a non-traditional sales division. Putumayo World Music has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company's motto: "guaranteed to make you feel good!" Putumayo's CD covers feature the distinctive art of Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of Putumayo's goals: to connect the traditional to the contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity - a rarity in today's artist-based music industry.
TRACK LIST
1 En Voici, En Voila - Alain le Lait (with Alain Le Lait)
2 Tudom En Mar, Mit Csinalok - Alma Zenekar (with Alma Zenekar)
3 Trampolin - Sas & Kopp
4 I'se the B'y - Ian F. Benzie (with Ian F. Benzie)
5 Tito Troca-Tintas - Buscapolos
6 Barengeburi-Bubuland - Roland Zoss (with Roland Zoss)
7 Change Song - Herbie Treehead (with Herbie Treehead)
8 Girotondo
9 Anneliese - Alex Schmeisser
10 D'esos Caballos - Rah-Mon Roma (with Rah-Mon Roma)
11 Deandai, Deandai - Aine Minogue (with Aine Minogue)
12 Den Kanei Krio – Locomondo (with Locomondo)
13 Alles Uit De Kast - Band Krijgt Kinderen
