Category Archives: Product Reviews

Listen to This: The Ohmies – Music Sampler and Discounted Digital Download Offer (For a limited time only!)

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Ohmies_MWG webPrior to my passion for writing about kids music, I owned a pet sitting business. It was one of my favorite jobs. My days were filled with fresh air, colorful adventures and unconditional love. Due to family obligations, I was sad when it was time to say goodbye to my furry friends and move from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to attend Kindiefest, an annual family music conference (that I would later come to find out was in its last year). The two day conference was made up of panels hosted by experts in the Kindie community. In between panels, I found myself talking to Seth Goldstein, the producer of The Ohmies, an interactive performance group (and musical health and wellness brand) for preschoolers. As we moved along in the conversation it came up that Seth and his sweet dog, Addie, were former clients of mine! Shortly after our discussion, I got to see The Ohmies perform live during the Kindiefest musical showcase. Between the familiarity with Seth and the adorable cast of characters that make up The Ohmies, it was nostalgically delightful.

So what are The Ohmies like? I will admit I was skeptical at first. I am a huge fan of Yo Gabba Gabba, however I tend to be somewhat skeptical when it comes to brands that are overly zany and bordering on gimmicky. The Ohmies could have fallen into that category but as  soon as the performance started my skepticism turned to optimism. This is a talented group of performers with catchy music and sincere intentions for young audiences. I was truly intrigued and completely tuned in as they brightened up the floor with their sunny dispositions and brightly colored costumes. In no time, they reeled the crowd into their performance by guiding us through movements (some of which are based on yoga poses) as part of their songs. The Ohmies definitely have a natural ability to engage a crowd.

The Ohmies are also offering a discounted digital download of their album, Morning Wish Garden (produced by Grammy nominated producer, Tor Hyams) which contains original songs from their shows. The discount is only available through September 24, 2013. 

Disclosure: As mentioned above, I do know Seth’s dog and by default, Seth, however this post contains my honest opinion based on personal experience during Kindiefest.

Below is a brief description of what you can expect from their shows which mentions themes that translate into their music.  I also encourage you to take a stroll through their site, view some videos and learn more about this group. I have no doubt that your preschooler will want more of The Ohmies.

The Ohmies bring an interactive, musical adventure series to preschoolers that focuses on movement (and physical activity) as a basis for a healthy lifestyle. The storylines follow two main characters, Bailey Butterfly and her little brother Carlin Caterpillar, as they embark on adventures throughout their homeland, Ohmland (rhyme slightly intended). As Bailey and Carlin encounter new Ohmland friends, the show(s) erupt with themes related to social and emotional learning (identifying feelings, making friends, resolving conflicts, getting along with others and dealing with anxiety).

Read This: Loquat Rooftop picture book by Randy Kaplan

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LoquatRooftopBook
Fans of Randy Kaplan can now enjoy a 32-page picture book transcription of the song, “Loquat Rooftop,” which is featured on Kaplan’s album of the same name.  Loquat Rooftop, Kaplan’s first picture book, is brought to life with beautiful illustrations by producer Mike West.

Through his music, Kaplan has historically captivated young listeners with creative storytelling and a brilliant sense of humor so it makes perfect sense that he is now expanding into print.  Although the book is a literal transcription of the song itself, the story is just as engaging on its own and makes for a fun read.

Loquat Rooftop offers an opportunity to provide your child with knowledge about a “mysterious fruit” while expanding their vocabulary.  If you are not already the owner of the album, Kaplan is offering a CD + book bundle so that you can play the song while your child follows along with the book!   Already own the CD?  Purchase the book by itself.

LRSamples from the album are available through CDBaby, along with other highly popular singles like “The Ladybug Without Spots” and “No Nothing,” a story about a pet Monkey who was raised by ducks.
You can view clips of Randy singing “No Nothing” live through my concert re-cap post from last September.

Putumayo Kids, LeapFrog and Pictures!

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Ok, I admit it, a huge motivation for me to drive 30 minutes and pay close to $40 on admission for our local Children’s Museum is because they have a dance room which plays nothing but Putumayo Kids albums. And even though said museum is a great playground for those that toddle, we spend most of our time movin’ to eclectic compilations as they come to life through surround sound speakers. Of course, trying to catch the moving lights on the floor and sparkles from the disco ball is fun too, but it’s all way more colorful when you are surrounded by world beats.

So, I am pleased to announce that Putumayo Kids is partnering up with LeapFrog and will release 4 of its award-winning full-length Playground CDs exclusively from LeapFrog’s App Center (http://www.leapfrog.com/en/appcenter.html) for Leapfrog’s LeapPad1 and the recently launched LeapPad2 and LeapsterGS.

Three of the four digital releases, European Playground, Jazz Playground and Cowboy Playground, are now available at the link above. The fourth upcoming release, World Sing-Along, includes two songs featuring Dan Zanes, as well as, Frances England’s “That’s What Friends Are For” (originally featured on the Many Hands: Family Music For Haiti release from Spare the Rock Records).  Children from Pihcintu Multicultural Children’s Choir, which features refugee girls mostly from war-torn regions, will sing “Around the World” to close the album. The release will be made available to the general public on October 30th and through the LeapFrog App Center on November 6th.  You can enjoy a free preview the album through the Bandcamp widget below.

Putumayo World Music will contribute $5,000 from sales of World Sing-Along during the period October 2012 through October 2014 to Population Services Internation (PSI) in support of its Five & Alive® campaign to ensure that all children have a healthy start to life, no matter where they are born. For more information about PSI, please visit www.psi.org.

Putumayo is also pleased to offer its first photography calendar, Children of the World, featuring images of children from Africa, Asia and Latin America by renowned photographer Jon Kaplan. Ten percent of Putumayo’s sales of the calendar (available October 1st), will be contributed to Seva (www.seva.org), a nonprofit organization which builds sustainable health programs that serve vulnerable populations around the world and help end preventable blindness, that has restored eyesight to more than 3 million people.