Invisible Friends - Dog on Fleas

Artist: Dog on Fleas

Album: Invisible Friends

Age Range: 3 and up

Description: "Like a preschool collage, Invisible Friends mixes stuff together that adults have long stopped mixing together but in spite of that (or possibly because of it) produces art.  Highly recommended." / Full review / Listen

A Potluck - Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band

Artist: Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band

Album: A Potluck

Age Range: 3-7

Description:  "Bright and sugary like a treat from a Parisian patisserie... a neat collection of some very nifty songs that should end up in your kids' rooms (or iPods) and Diaz's best family album to date. Definitely recommended." / Full review

My Neighborhood - Johnny Bregar

Artist: Johnny Bregar

Album: My Neighborhood

Age Range: 4-9

Description:  "He [has] brought enough guests to his Bainbridge Island studio to make his rootsy Americana with a hint of bluegrass seem like a small party.  There's a mellow, soulful vibe to the album's best tracks, even a bit of wistfulness at points... Highly recommended. " / Full review / Listen

WeBop: A Family Jazz Party! - Jazz at Lincoln Center (feat. Matt Wilson)

Artist: Jazz at Lincoln Center's WeBop program

Album: WeBop: A Family Jazz Party!

Age Range: 2-7

Description: "My favorite jazz-for-kids album since at least Putumayo's Jazz Playground disk from a couple years ago, and definitely my favorite non-compilation since the great Medeski, Martin & Wood album Let's Go Everywhere... Highly recommended." / Full review

Can't Wait - Grenadilla

Artist: Grenadilla

Album: Can't Wait

Age Range: 3-7

Review: A sunny, danceable album from Debbie Lan and her New York band.  The band plays kwela-inflected music -- for those of you who don't know what "kwela" music is (and, hey, I didn't, either) Wikipedia suggests it's a "happy, often pennywhistle-based, street music from southern Africa with jazzy underpinnings and a distinctive, skiffle-like beat." Based on the sounds on Can't Wait, the band's second album, that's about right.  There aren't lesson songs or slice-of-life stories here -- just odes to being happy, walking around, and playing or singing, all with a smile on one's face.  Gentle and often retro-sounding, yes, but also with a bit of a groove.  Dog on Fleas' Dean Jones produces his former bandmate Lan with his typical organic touch, letting the six voices of the band take center stage.  With a sound unlike just about any other band, Grenadilla targets a niche in the kids music world and hits it.  Recommended. / Listen