Strollerderby : free mp3

Free MP3! Renee and Jeremy: It's a Big World

editors — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:38:00 GMT

Renee and Jeremy are pretty lo-fi for kids' musicians -- and that's a wonderful thing. On their gentle, lovely album It's a Big World, they don't try for broad appeal by throwing in hokey country songs and unconvincing hip-hop ballads. Instead, they stick to their own sound: harmonized acoustic ballads reminiscent of Low, or perhaps a mythical Aimee Mann/Nick Drake duet. If you didn't know it was a children's album, you'd probably like it anyway. After the jump, a free download of the title track, and an animated YouTube video to share with the kids. - Gwynne Watkins

It's A Big World.mp3

Buy "It's a Big World" on Amazon.

Babble Mix Tape appears every other Friday or so. Have a favorite children's musician you'd like to see featured? Email gwynne@babble.com.

Free MP3! "Rock Penguin Hop" by Maria Sangiolo

editors — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Maria Sangiolo has one of the prettiest voices in contemporary children’s music: rich, articulate and warm. She sounds like she was born to sit on a hill during a sunset and sing folk songs. Instead, she records albums like Under the Mystic Sea, a collection of songs largely inspired by girlhood (“Giggly Girl”, “Hairbrush Blues”) and ocean life (“Mermaid Molly,” “Down by the Ocean”). After the jump, download “Rock Penguin Hop” -- and tell your kid to get her best penguin moves ready.

Rock Penguin Hop by Maria Sangiolo.mp3

Buy Under the Mystic Sea here.

Babble Mix Tape appears every other Friday.

Free MP3! from Baby Loves Jazz

editors — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:15:00 GMT

The Baby Loves Jazz Band consists of six animal musicians, including Ella Elephant and Charlie Bird. But behind those animal facades are six supremely accomplished jazz musicians, who give some swing to classic children’s songs on Baby Loves Jazz: Greatest Hits.

Don’t get us wrong – this is pure old-school kids’ music: “Wheels on the Bus”, “Old MacDonald” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider” all make appearances. But with the jazz band at the helm, mixing these standards with originals and instrumental jams, the old stand-bys start to feel new. Jazz-loving parents can consider this a painless indoctrination (assuming your kids aren’t yet ready for Bitches Brew). Download the sketch/song “Hello Green” after the jump!

Baby Loves Jazz - Hello Green.mp3

Pick up Baby Loves Jazz: Greatest Hits here.

Babble Mix Tape appears every other Friday.

Free MP3! "Springtime Fantastic" by The Sippy Cups

editors — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:05:00 GMT

The Sippy Cups aren’t coy about their influences: their album cover, with the title Electric Storyland and the blacklight-ready graphics, says it all. The San Francisco-based kids' band is all about re-capturing 60s psychedelic rock, minus those un-parent-friendly drug references (“Daddy, why does the man want to be sedated?”). If your family has a thing for Sergeant Pepper, Jimi Hendrix or Syd Barrett, Sippy Cups songs like “Magic Toast” will be right up your alley. After the jump, download the catchy, trippy track “Springtime Fantastic,” which vaguely reminds us of Ben Folds Fives’ “Kate.” (In a good way.)

The Sippy Cups - Springtime Fantastic.mp3

Buy Electric Storyland here, or pick up the Sippy Cups’ brand new concert DVD here.

Babble Mix Tape appears every other Friday.