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
