One of the perks of writing a blog is that readers take care of you. I received a box that asked to remain anonymous, so it shall. However, the contents scream for recognition. Inside were 18 disks called Putumayo Kids Present, which I listened to all day yesterday with great pleasure. The note inside the box goes “I notice you teach children, and that you love Putumayo recordings. I notice you have never put the two together, so I assume you are ignorant of the enclosed.” Turned out to be true on many levels – I am ignorant of oh, so many things. I was also very ignorant of the Putumayo Kids series. I can blame their publicity department, but truth is I have been a Putumayo addict for a long long time. In the US it’s one of the few places we have to find out what music is popular around the world.To the Kids Presents. There are 18 CDs here, ranging the gamut of Reggae, Brazil, Asia, Celtic, France, etc etc. In other words, the kids series closely resembles the “adult” series. American audiences will be familiar with Arlo Guthrie, Carlos Santana, Miriam Makeba, Judy Mowatt, Rufus Thomas, Michele Shocked, Trout Fishing In America, Leon Redbone, Rita Marley, Rosie Flores, Eric Bibb, Flaco Jimenez, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Desmond Dekker, Taj Mahal and Toots and the Maytals. The New Orleans Playground is filled with great hits, and could have been released for an adult crowd with pleasure. Which points out the fun of this series. Adults can listen with pleasure while children explore the sounds of the world in a calm setting in the dreamland series; and a totally fun setting in the playground series.
Most of the songs started off on an album made for an adult, but the astute ears at Putumayo know which songs can sooth and energize a child. What I’m saying is that the Kids Presents label is simply a marketing tool to get moms and dads to buy some great music for their kids. At the same time, I bet the parents become addicted and start buying the “adult” versions for themselves. Whatever works. I am impressed, as usual, with Putumayo, and encourage all grandparents to buy a full set for the youngsters in their lives – if only so you’ll have something interesting to listen to when you visit! Finding the series is fairly easy – simply do an Amazon search on “Putumayo Kids Presents”.
Putumayo Kids Presents
Putumayo on Eartaste
