Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lucky Diaz – Made In L.A.

Made In L.A. is Lucky Diaz’s funky, fresh love letter to the City of Angels. It will be released on July 21st. We are proud to offer you a first glimpse at the gorgeous Made In L.A. artwork, created by the one and only Micah Player.

Listen to the infectious ‘Paletero Man’ – an ode to the Mexican ice cream man. Good luck getting the chorus out of your head:

Oye, my friend
Can you hear the sounds of the weekend
Oye, my friend
Don’t miss your chance

Ven aca Paletero man

Lucky will be playing Lollapalooza this summer in addition to plenty of other shows across the US. If he’s in your town, make plans to support great independent music. 

‘Paletero Man’ is also featured on this killer summer road trip playlist featuring Lisa Loeb, Justin Roberts, Red Yarn and more!

Remembering David Bowie: Let All The Children Boogie

On the one year anniversary of David Bowie’s passing, he would have been 70 today, we look back at one of the best tribute albums released in 2016 – Let All The Children Boogie: A Tribute To David Bowie. The tribute is an eclectic group of artists featuring some of the best in kindie music, plus Ted Leo and Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller.

Proceeds from the record will benefit the It Gets Better Project and its mission to communicate to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world that it does in fact, get better.

Between Walter Martin’s buoyant reworking of ‘Breaking Glass’ or Sonia de los Santos putting a Latin spin on ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ or Rachel Loshak with the New Standards doing a hauntingly beautiful version of ‘Starman’ – there is something for everyone to enjoy on this record.

Listen to a lovely version of ‘Space Oddity’ from Gustafer Yellowgold and the Pop Ups

Check out Rhett Miller’s take on Ziggy Stardust

In short, on the anniversary of his passing, please consider doing something good and help out the It Gets Better Project and get some great music for your good deed.

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Let All The Children Boogie: A Tribute To David Bowie Track listing: 

  1. The Honeydogs and Chastity Brown – Oh! You Pretty Things
  2. Walter Martin – Breaking Glass
  3. Sonia de los Santos and Elena Moon Park – The Man Who Sold the World
  4. Rachel Loshak with the New Standards – Starman
  5. Lloyd H. Miller and Dean Jones – V-2 Schneider
  6. Sally Timms and Jon Langford – The Prettiest Star
  7. Molly Ledford – Sound and Vision
  8. Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players – Kooks
  9. Antibalas – Let’s Dance
  10. Gustafer Yellowgold and the Pop Ups – Space Oddity
  11. Ted Leo – Heroes
  12. Wunmi – Fashion
  13. Storey Littleton with Marco Benevento – Life on Mars?
  14. Gina Chavez – Modern Love
  15. Red Yarn – Magic Dance
  16. Nakia and the Barton Hills Choir – Golden Years
  17. Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower featuring Simi Stone – Changes
  18. Uncle Rock and Tracy Bonham – Lady Stardust
  19. Colin Brooks – I’ll Follow You
  20. Rhett Miller – Ziggy Stardust

Fids & Kamily 2016 & Best of the Decade

For those of you new to family music, Fids & Kamily is a yearly poll that compiles the lists of the year’s favorite kids and family music. Music bloggers, radio hosts, etc. They keep letting me vote, so I keep voting. And a couple weeks ago they released the results.

Before we take a look at 2016, let’s take a look back at the last 10 years.

2006-2015-fids-and-kamily

Here is how the committee vetted out.

Here’s a look at my “Best of the Decade” ballot:

1. Dan Zanes and Friends – Catch That Train!
2. Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band – A Potluck
3. Justin Roberts – Jungle Gym
4. The Pop Ups – Radio Jungle
5. The Okee Dokee Brothers – Can You Canoe?
6. Gustafer Yellowgold – Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock
7. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo – Underground Playground
8. Frances England – Mind of My Own
9. Caspar Babypants – Sing Along!
10. They Might Be Giants – Here Come the 123s
11. The Deedle Deedle Dees – Strange Dees, Indeed
12. Josh and the Jamtones – Rocksteady
13. Lori Henriques – The World Is a Curious Place To Live
14. Dan Zanes and Friends – Little Nut Tree
15. Justin Roberts – Lullaby
16. Recess Monkey – The Final Funktier
17. The Not-Its – Raise Your Hand
18. Various Artists – Science Fair
19. Medeski, Martin & Wood – Let’s Go Everywhere
20. Ozomatli – Ozomatli Presents OzoKidz

And now for 2016. Here’s how the panel of judges voted.

Here is my 2016 Fids & Family ballot:

1. Frances England – Explorer of the World
2. The Okee Dokee Brothers – Saddle Up: A Western Adventure Album
3. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo – Infinity Plus One
4. Sonia De Los Santos – Mi Viaje: De Nuevo León to the New York Island
5. Dean Jones – In My Dreams
6. The Not-Its! – Are You Listening?
7. Moona Luna – Panorama
8. Sugar Free Allstars – Sugar Free Allstars
9. The Deedle Deedle Dees – Sing-A-Long History Vol. 2: The Rocket Went Up!
10. Mista Cookie Jar – Music Is Everywhere

If you haven’t already, please take a listen to some of these wonderful records and support independent music for families.