Various Artists - Putumayo Kids: Jazz Playground

Jazz Playground is full of upbeat, catchy, swingin', jazzy tunes performed by bands from all over the world, including Modern Conya (Japan), The Mighty Buzzniks (Australia), Jose Conde (Cuba), and Gui Tavares (Brazil). Kids'll absolutely love Chris McKhool's fiddle-fueled cover of the "Spider-man" theme, Barbara Morrison's mocha-flavored version of "Sing a Song of Sixpence," and Lewis Franco and The Missing Cats' movement song "Stomp, Stomp."

But the album is composed of more than just well-known singalongs. The Netherlands' Trapperdetrap deliver the wonderfully weird "Zuignapje," South African songstress Selloane Nkhela teams up with world-renowned balafonist Famoro Dioubate for the tasty "Shortnin' Bread," and French band Triocephale perform a rocking, rolling version of the classic dance tune "Sur Le Pont d'Avignon."

Forget jazz purism, don't worry about musical history, leave any discussion of "what is jazz" at the door: this is a wonderfully fun CD for kids and their families. Playing Jazz Playground at full volume on a rainy day will brighten the whole house.

Released March 9, 2010; Putumayo World Music

1. "Stomp, Stomp" - Lewis Franco & The Missing Cats
2. "Spider-man" - Chris McKhool
3. "Cumbamba" - Jose Conde
4. "Sur Le Pont D'Avignon" - Triocephale
5. "Little Lamb Jam" - Oran Etkin with Charenee Wade
6. "Gazooba" - Kinderjazz
7. "Sing a Song of Sixpence" - Barbara Morrison
8. "Zuignapje" - Trapperdetrap
9. "Shortnin' Bread" - Selloane featuring Famoro Dioubate
10. "Agree & Disagree" - The Mighty Buzzniks
11. "Dois Meninos" - Gui Tavares
12. "Oyatsu n Jikan" - Modern Conya
13. "This Little Light of Mine" - Ingrid Lucia