Our friends at Putumayo are at it again, and this time they are bringing some Muppets along. With the release of Sesame Street Playground, a CD/DVD set featuring songs and music videos from Sesame Street productions around the world. This new release represents a shared mission of Putumayo Kids and Sesame Workshop: to reach children worldwide and help children learn about and respect other cultures. Sesame Street Playground is the first globally distributed Sesame Workshop audio CD. Sesame Street Playground is an exciting world music adventure for kids, with each song and video produced in its country of origin. Thirteen songs from Brazil, France, China, India, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands, Palestine, Russia, South Africa and Tanzania complement two from the U.S. flagship production. Listeners can sing along to favorite songs such as “Rubber Ducky†in Chinese, (I played this on the show to mass appeal) while viewers will experience new sounds, characters and styles of music from other cultures by watching videos such as “Galli Galli Sim Sim,†the show opening from the India series. The kid in all of us would be disappointed not to get a chance to check this one out.
Also, On previous collections, Putumayo has explored upbeat Arabic pop and dance music (Arabic Groove and North African Groove) and laid-back Arabic electronica (Sahara Lounge). With Acoustic Arabia, we turn our attention to the subtler, more organic music of the Arabic world which has been inspired by the region’s traditional music. This is the music I tend to lean toward during moments of reflection and contemplation. With their stripped-down arrangements and softer, more introspective quality, the songs on Acoustic Arabia highlight the fundamental beauty of the music of the Arabic world. This collection features an intriguing roster of artists, including several international stars and exciting new discoveries. Each musician has a fascinating life story that brings added depth to their music. Take your soul on a ride with this release.
