Customer Reviews

Reggae Playground

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The previous reviewer has it all wrong! This is an album with reggae musicians around the WORLD adding in their own local, cultural instruments and influence! This is CLASSIC Putumayo style and it's a beautiful collection that i think kids will enjoy! There is Hawaiin Reggae, Sega Reggae, and Samba Reggae among others! It also shows how easy Reggae beats blend into other songs and styles with the (unfortunate?) variation of The Beatles Here Comes the Sun, but a really neat version of John Denver's Country Roads!

By far the best song on the album is Jessica's YING YANG with her beautiful creole language. Get it just for this song! But you also get Kal Dos Santos - a gem on this album! Rita Marley's HARAMBE is great! Judy Mowatt, Mousta Largo, and Pat Gulipat contribute great pieces.

How the previous reviewer didn't get a "Reggae" feel is beyond me. My partner, a long time traditional reggae fanatic, thought it was good. This CD is more the Island, Upbeat Reggae and not the "roots" Reggae just like all the Putumayo Reggae compilations.

My copy also came with the Putumayo Kids Sampler! Good deal!

The kids love it and I actually listen to it after I drop them off at camp on my way to work! It's different from the teeny bop Disney stuff that they like but can drive me crazy. Our favorite is "There's a Mouse in my House and I'm Scared!" We are all grooving our way through the summer... I'm even stocking up on this CD for the next round of birthday parties. And the nice thing is some of the proceeds go to children's educational programs.

Putomayo Kids don't bill themselves as "World Music Adventures" for nothing. This CD transported me right back to Negril, Jamaica, circa 1994, sand between my toes...but that was back before I had kids to enjoy reggae music with, and as progressive as I like to consider myself, I never thought to dig out my reggae sounds for them...until now. Reggae Playground is a favorite in our house, and no wonder! Look who's on this album, among others:

Judy Mowatt (former backing vocalist for the man himself, Mr. Bob Marley)
Rita Marley
Toots & the Maytals
Burning Souls
Johnny Dread
Marty Dread
Tony Q Rastafara, and
Asheba (known for his Caribbean kid songs)
Let me assure you, however, this is no randomly compiled reggae album thrown together from your average adult collection - it's made for kids, and it pleases! I may be a little biased since I love the French language, and there are a couple on this CD plus a little Creole added in for good measure. Unlike some, I think the remake of The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" is inspired. My kids' favorite, however, is "There's a Mouse in the House."

I like the truly youthful choice of songs, styles, and lyrics. This CD is relaxing yet upbeat, a perfect introduction to island music from the masters themselves.

I work in a daycare, and I decided to buy this album to use as background music in my classroom while the kids are having their free-play time. It really is a nice change of pace from the typical kid songs you might hear. The kids love it, and I do too! =) Definitely highly recommended for teachers and parents who are looking for music that is fun and kid-friendly, but still enjoyable for adults as well.

I wanted to love this album, but I just couldn't. My one-year-old has been listening to (and loving) Bob Marley since the womb, but unfortunately, this CD was not very entertaining for him. I've played it for him about 3 or 4 times, but he doesn't dance or clap his hands. (He always dances and claps to Bob Marley's music, and he practically goes nuts when his babysitter puts on modern reggae.) The tracks on this CD don't sound like classic reggae or modern reggae. They are more like interpretations of what someone thinks a kid would like. To all whose kids like this CD, kudos. But, this mom, unfortunately, is still on the hunt for more music.

I love the Putumayo series of children's music. I owned a children's play center and wanted music playing in the background. Some children's song can be very, let's say, annoying for adult to be subjected to for hours at a time. I and others found these CDs to be fabulous! With music from around the world, children are exposed to different languages, rhythms and instruments. I highly recommend these CDs!

My 1 year old loves music, especially music with a strong beat, like reggae. I ordered this because so much mainstream reggae is so explicit, and I'm really happy with it. We listen to it often, and he bops along and imitates me singing the lyrics.

Wonderful CD---my baby girl and I listen to it all the time. You really can't go wrong with any of the Putumayo music collections!

The music is good, but the songs listed on the case aren't in the same order as the songs on the CD. Plus the number of songs on the CD are not the same as the number on the case. I called Putumayo, but they had no response.

Hello,

I happen to just borrow this CD from a good friend of mine and didn't find it that appealing. Note I'm a huge Putumayo fan. I love a lot of their stuff (Arabic Groove, Rumba Flamenco, Coffee Lands, and more). In terms of what I don't like is it doesn't really give me a good "reggae" feeling. This CD may be great for those who like it and listen to it a lot. However for those new in this department I'd recommend finding something a little more "popular." Anyhow as I said just a heads up to those new to the reggae scene. I hope you find my post at all helpful.

Have a nice day.