Pick of the Day: Deep Sea Diver (Audio)

Deep Sea Diver. Performed by Recess Monkey. CD. 42 min. Recess Monkey. 2013. ISBN unavail. $14.99.

PreS-Gr 3–This ocean-themed album, set in a submarine, travels the seven seas discovering musical treasures. Drew Holloway and Jack Forman welcome drummer Korum Bishoff, a new band member, on their ninth album, a rip-roaring, high energy mix of rock, hip-hop, funk, Latin, sea shanty, folk, and pop musical styles. With outstanding vocal and instrumental performances on guitar, bass, mandolin, violin, viola, cello, trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, Wurly, and drums, the band begins with the rousing, rhythm powered “Tambourine Submarine.” Then a drum-playing fish demonstrates every kind of music on his drum set in “Fish Sticks.” They discover a coral reef that is actually a “Choral Reef” that makes beautiful music. “Shrimp” has size issues, but realizes there are perks to being short. A “Seahorse” is the deep sea cowboy’s mount as he ropes shrimp and patrols the mangroves. The other songs include “The Deep End” (of the swimming pool), “Beach Ball,” “Compass Rose,” “Tattoo Me,” “The Seven Cs” (all the crew’s names begin with that letter), “Seagull,” “Up Periscope,” “Walkie Talkies,” “Making Waves,” and “Stranded” (when a best friend moves away). With zippy, quirky lyrics and superb musicianship, Recess Monkey continues to be a cut above other kindie bands.–Beverly Wrigglesworth,San Antonio Public Library, TX