EDITOR'S NOTE: In response to the fiasco in the Grammy nods in Best Children's Album for the lack of diversity and all the diverse kindie acts being shunned at this year's award show, I decided to celebrate the wonderful work of these amazing artists. I will be hunting Spotify and other places back and forth in search of some great kindie. These may not be all new songs, as the new releases of the month will be reviewed in my monthly Kindie Hit Lists.
This is part of my effort to amplify diverse voices in a time when blacks and other minorities have been belittled by the award giving bodies.
Here are some of the kindie gems that I have unearthed this week.
Hey Pluto
(Marsha and the Positrons)
Photo from Facebook page of artist mentioned above
Marsha Goodman-Wood was a former neuroscientist, but when she wanted to make science enjoyable for the younger folks. So she started a band aptly titled "Marsha and the Positrons" and decided to make their music centered around science and the wonders it has to offer.
I particularly liked this song as it is a very heartfelt love letter to the so-called "forgotten planet" and just like my favorite podcast, Wow in the World, they make science more fun and fascinating for kids to discover. It pays tribute to the scientists working hard to make amazing discoveries happen.
This is sourced from their debut album, "Positronic", which first came out in 2018. If you liked this song, you're sure to love the rest of the album.
Here's another story covering the the band's amazing work from WBAL-TV, Baltimore's NBC affiliate: https://www.wbaltv.com/article/maryland-stem-festival-wraps-up-with-free-science-lesson-concert/34518015
ARTIST SOCIALS:
Be The Change
(Saul Paul)
Photo from Facebook page of artist mentioned above
Saul Paul has been on a roll lately. He can be hailed as the Will Smith of the under-13 crowd. His most recent album reflects upon acting on causes that matter to you the most, celebrating what makes you special, and being proud of who you are.
He came together with a few big names in the kindie scene, including Grammy winner Lucy Kalantari, well-known kindie writer Lori Henriques (both of which also appear on Joanie Leeds' groundbreaking All The Ladies album mentioned in a previous post), and kid's hip hop act Alphabet Rockers, who have been known for making music about African American struggles and fighting for equality.
The themes this album covers are very relevant as they uplift the outcasts and the discriminated and they also celebrate their beauty and what makes them special and be proud of who they are.
They may be shunned at the Grammys, but I gotta say, this is the BEST KINDIE ALBUM OF 2020!
Also as this was published, the music video for one of the songs from this album, Rainbow, a collaboration with Lucy Kalantari, had just been released.
ARTIST SOCIALS:
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