Happy Land is Terra Feliz

Happy Land is Tierra Feliz. Performed by Mi Amigo Hamlet. CD. Approx. 55 min. Label: Hamlet Meneses Music. 2018. CD: $15; Download: $9.99.

Pre-S – Grade 2

A native of Guatemala, now based in Chicago, Hamlet Meneses performs 16 songs, all in both Spanish and English. This ambitious production features a variety of Latin musical styles, including merengue, salsa, rumba flamenco, and bossa nova, as well as reggae and folk. Backup musicians include Dean Jones, Roberto Juan Rodriguez, Ken McGloin, Marianne Tasick, Jason Sarubbi, Charles Frommer, and Rhys Ellis kicking it on guitar, bass, upright bass, violin, wooden flute, keyboards, saxophone, trombone, drums, bongos, and percussion, including maracas, rumba box, marimba, stylophone, and xylophone. “Happy Land” is full of happy smiles, hearts, souls, thoughts, and actions. Several songs teach children the names of things in both languages: “Dias de la Semana,” “Go Go Go,” “Hola,” “Cara Cabeza” (to the tune of “Are You Sleeping”), “Los Instrumentos” (including the sounds of maracas, rumba box, marimba, bongos, flute, xylophone, and stylophone), “Months of the Year,” and “Azul” (with exaggerated rolling of “r’s” on “rojo”). “Pajarito” encourages appreciation for birds, bumblebees, and butterflies. In “Laila,” everyone is invited to a singing and dancing party, accompanied by an outstanding flamenco guitar solo. The melody for “Rock Paper Scissors” is from a traditional Guatemalan children’s song. “How Much I Love You” celebrates the love of parents for their children. “La Lluvia” is happy to fall and make wet the birds in the trees; accompanied by the sounds of chirping birds. “Love” is tender, free, thankful, wonderful, and much more. The singer is “Thankful” for family, friends, children, hugs, and sunshine. Finally, “Little Fish” wants to make a much better world. Many of the songs have energetic, driving rhythms that will make children want to dance around. An outstanding album for the whole family.
Website:  https://miamigohamlet.com/