Recess Monkey “Flying” CD Review + {Giveaway – Ends 7/26} (CLOSED)

With a name like Recess Monkey you might not be too surprised to learn that this children’s music band is a group of teachers who worked together in Seattle. Their latest album takes you to new heights- Flying by Recess Monkey is available now.

Here’s a little about the band and new album:

SEATTLE, WA (April 19) – For those who understand how a gravity-defying leap from the couch is mightily enhanced by wearing a bed sheet cape, celebrated independent children’s recording group Recess Monkey offers a superhero-inspired collection of music on their seventh studio CD, FLYING! (Monkey Mama, $14.99, for ages 3 – 8, run time 47 minutes. Release date: June 21, 2011.).

Superheroes usually populate a world of make-believe, but most of the songs on FLYING! are firmly grounded in the everyday, real-life experiences of Recess Monkey as teachers, parents, and (former) kids and graced with the knowledge that an ordinary person can, indeed, transform into a superhero. Think Wonder Woman re-imagined as a five-year-old playground dynamo covered in band-aids, Superman as a “Superkid” who bravely tells the truth and stands up for what's right, or a tribute to one of the greatest superheroes of all time: Grandma!

Kids’ music authority Stefan Shepherd (Zooglobble) has declared, ““Dan Zanes may be the godfather; They Might Be Giants, the legitimizer; and Laurie Berkner, Ralph Covert, and Justin Roberts the genre’s superstars.  But RecessMonkey is the heart of kids’ music today.”
“Kindie” music favorites Chris Ballew/Caspar Babypants, Molly Ledford (Lunch Money), Justin Lansing (The Okee Dokee Brothers), Dean Jones (Dog on Fleas), Johnny Bregar, Tom Baisden (The Not-Its!) and Chris Wiser (Sugar Free Allstars) play superhero on FLYING! The album’s producer, Tor Hyams, launches flights of keyboard fancy on several tracks, and children’s author/illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka (Lunch Lady, Punk Farm) contributes FLYING’s stunning interior comic strip artwork, showing the world just how Recess Monkey became superheroes.

The three members of Recess Monkey are teachers who met while working at the same Seattle school and shared a genuine enthusiasm for a grad school project that morphed into their 2005 debut release Welcome to RecessMonkey Town. This was followed by another popular (and zoologically correct) hit, Aminal House.  The teachers —Jack Forman, Daron Henry, and Drew Holloway — made history with their next release, Wonderstuff, the first double CD children’s album produced from material generated at a kids’ summer camp workshop. Likewise, 2008’s Tabby Road, 2009’s Field Trip, and 2010’s The Final Funktier each came from real life children’s experiences.  

From a plethora of remarkable Seattle-based “kindie” musicians, Seattle Magazine chose to honor Recess Monkey in 2010 with its “Best Local Kids’ Music” accolade. The band’s 2010 release, The Final Funktier, was highlighted on CBS-TV’s The Early Show and in People magazine. The Final Funktier was on “Best of 2010” lists by Amazon.com; Parents Magazine; The Washington Post; Time Out NY Kids; Kidsmusic.About.com; Boston Children’s Music; Cool Mom Picks;Daily Candy Kids; MetroKids; MilwaukeeMoms.com; Minivan Blues; You Know, for Kids; Zooglobble; and more. The album was a KIWI magazine 2010 “holiday pick” and was featured in ParentsConnect’s holiday gift guide.   Each of Recess Monkey’s previous albums has received similar acclaim.

“Kindie” music favorites Chris Ballew/Caspar Babypants, Molly Ledford (Lunch Money), Justin Lansing (The Okee Dokee Brothers), Dean Jones (Dog on Fleas), Johnny Bregar, Tom Baisden (The Not-Its!) and Chris Wiser (Sugar Free Allstars) play superhero on FLYING! The album’s producer, Tor Hyams, launches flights of keyboard fancy on several tracks, and children’s author/illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka (Lunch Lady, Punk Farm) contributes FLYING’s stunning interior comic strip artwork, showing the world just how Recess Monkey became superheroes.

The three members of Recess Monkey are teachers who met while working at the same Seattle school and shared a genuine enthusiasm for a grad school project that morphed into their 2005 debut release Welcome to RecessMonkey Town. This was followed by another popular (and zoologically correct) hit, Aminal House.  The teachers —Jack Forman, Daron Henry, and Drew Holloway — made history with their next release, Wonderstuff, the first double CD children’s album produced from material generated at a kids’ summer camp workshop. Likewise, 2008’s Tabby Road, 2009’s Field Trip, and 2010’s The Final Funktier each came from real life children’s experiences.

From a plethora of remarkable Seattle-based “kindie” musicians, Seattle Magazine chose to honor Recess Monkey in 2010 with its “Best Local Kids’ Music” accolade. The band’s 2010 release, The Final Funktier, was highlighted on CBS-TV’s The Early Show and in People magazine. The Final Funktier was on “Best of 2010” lists by Amazon.com; Parents Magazine; The Washington Post; Time Out NY Kids; Kidsmusic.About.com; Boston Children’s Music; Cool Mom Picks;Daily Candy Kids; MetroKids; MilwaukeeMoms.com; Minivan Blues; You Know, for Kids; Zooglobble; and more. The album was a KIWI magazine 2010 “holiday pick” and was featured in ParentsConnect’s holiday gift guide.   Each of Recess Monkey’s previous albums has received similar acclaim.

The Recess Monkeys are energetic and lively. They definitely know how to have fun with young children. As teachers of Pre-K - 3rd graders they know how to reach out to that younger crowd, and you can definitely tell in their music. You will even get to meet the band’s superhero alter egos inside the album cover.

My son enjoys this CD. The kid’s pop music is perfect for him. It’s lively and upbeat and the songs tell a story. Children everywhere will be amazed! The songs are fun and relatable for young kids. Your kids might like “Flying” or “Grandmom’s House” and I’m sure they’ll enjoy all the others just as much.

You can learn more about the Recess Monkey group on their website- http://www.recessmonkeytown.com/. There are bios about the 3 guys in the band, show information, videos, lyrics, and a store to purchase their album. The Recess Monkey “Flying” CD is available for purchase through their website and on Amazon.com as well.


Prize – 1 winner will receive the Recess Monkey “Flying” CD

To Enter – Tell me what your favorite song is from this album, go listen here- http://www.recessmonkeytown.com/.

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This giveaway is open now through Tuesday, July 26th. I will post the winner on Wednesday, July 27th.

Open to USA only!




*Disclosure: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*