You’re constantly adding songs to your iPod playlists. Junior deserves to have some fresh music in the rotation as well. Below are a few new albums debuting this summer:

Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti
A We are the World for the sandbox set. Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti is the brainchild of family musician Dean Jones. Shortly after the devastating January 12th earthquake that destroyed the Haitian capital, Jones decided he wanted to create something that could help the rebuilding effort. He enlisted a who’s who of family music artists - including Dan Zanes, hip-hop star Secret Agent 23 Skidoo and They Might be Giants -  to write and record songs for Many Hands. The album is filled with spiritual, uplifting (but not too out there) music as well as some whimsical and impossibly catchy tunes (”Arabella Angelique”). The soothing vocals of Elizabeth Mitchell, Emily Curtis and Frances England are some of the best in the world of kiddie music.
Coming 8/10. Will be available on amazon.com.

Putumayo Kids
Rock & Roll Playground
Putumayo Kids’ latest release is a tribute to the history of early rock ‘n’ roll. The CD comes with a fab little booklet about the origins of rock and the story behind each song. The album is a mix of established artists - Peter Himmelman plus Grammy-Award winners Dan Zanes and Friends and Bill Harley - and up-and-coming ones. Unlike some of the other current “children’s” albums, this one doesn’t ooze cross-generational appeal, with the exception of “Magic Carpet Ride.” That’s a must-listen. It’s even iPod worthy.
Coming 6/29. Available for pre-order on amazon.com.

The Best of The Laurie Berkner Band
The goddess of tot rock is coming out with her first collection of greatest hits. “Victor Vito,” “I’m Not Perfect,” “Song in My Tummy” and “Bumblebee” are all on The Best of The Laurie Berkner Band. The final track, “Open Your Heart,” is the one new song. It’s hallmark zany Berkner but with a Carly Simon-esque melody woven in that’s definitely ear-worthy for you. Berkner wrote Open Your Heart for the national children’s charity The Pajama Program, which provides new jammies and books to kids in need throughout the country and around the world.
Coming 6/29. Available for pre-order on amazon.com.

POSTED IN: Music, UrbanBaby Picks