The opening song for this disc, Jay Mankita’s “Eat Like a Rainbow,” sums up the multicultural delectability of the new Putumayo Kids release. Light, healthy, and adventurous, Picnic Playground serves up pungent melodies and refreshing rhythms from all over our increasingly flat Earth. If the universal happiness on this album doesn’t prove that music connects kids (and adults, for that matter), then perhaps you should consider taking up residence on another planet.
Honestly, it’s hard to pluck just a few tunes to praise from this basket of goodies, but I’ll whet your appetite anyway. There’s the Sesame Street sunshine of Frenchman Pascal Parisot’s “Mes Parents Sont Bio,” the Cuban spices of Jose Conde y Ola Fresca’s “Bolitas de Arroz con Pollo,” and Kheswa’s “Beautiful Day” from South Africa. A couple of songs come from pretty well-known family entertainers, including “Ice Cream” from Asheba (who hails from Trinidad) and “Bowl of Cherries” from Rhythm Child (from the USA).
While so many kids’ CDs are ideal for car rides, this one should percolate outdoors while you have your own picnic.
