josh levine

***Josh Levine***

Let's see, what are the odds of coming across a kids' performer who

just happens to work regularly with a legendary Cuban musician? Pretty

good, actually, if you're in Manhattan! Professional bassist Josh

Levine has combined the varied influences from his rich musical

background to create what might be the kids' album most likely to

induce spontaneous salsa dancing.

For his debut children's CD, Josh Levine for Kids, Levine put together

a collection of traditional tunes, originals, and incredibly

interesting cover songs. Double-tracked vocals, thick harmonies,

generous use of a Venezuelan cuatro, and, of course, a booming

acoustic bass, all recorded in Levine's apartment (let's hear it for

indie rock!), make for a hugely entertaining album.

You get a great idea of what to expect for the rest of the album when

Florentino Ruiz Carmona's "Tiburon" bursts from the speakers. Levine

also covers Bill Staines' classic kids' song "A Place in the Choir",

and Gil Raldiris' perfect preschool singalong activity tune "Mi Cuerpo

Hace Musica". Again, an album full of traditional songs could go

horribly boring, but wow, Levine really puts a spicy twist on oldies

like "Jump Jim Joe", "I Am a Pumpkin", "The Hokey Pokey", "This Land

is Your Land", "If You're Happy and You Know It", and even "Cumpleanos

Feliz".

Levine contributes an impressive handful of originals, including the

world-as-global-community message of "A Real Bouquet", cowritten with

Edith Segal; and the joyous "I've Got Music in My Soul". Of course as

a professional bass player, Levine made sure the low end was pushed to

the forefront, and rightfully so. Every song sounds stronger for it,

and seems to make the album even more of a hip shaking, hand clapping

experience.

In the grownup music world, Levine performs with Son Amigos, a trio

that includes legendary guitarist Jose Luis Martinez, who was an early

member of the groundbreaking Cuban band Los Van Van, and can also be

heard throughout the New York City area performing with the quartet

Los Acustilocos, with songwriter/musician Angus Martin, and with

vocalist Francine Morin ... busy, busy guy!

Full of short, intimate performances (four songs come in under the

one-minute mark!) Josh Levine for Kids is a great, great resource for

toddler and preschool programming, as well as a flat-out fun album to

listen to loudly at home. Warn your downstairs neighbors, though: