Shine and the Moonbeams

PreS—Gr 4—Shine and the Moonbeams band members, Jon Heagle, Russell Carter, Shawana Kemp, and Lavondo Thomas, offer nine original songs on their debut family album. Performing in R&B, rock, pop, and smooth jazz musical styles, Kemp has a strong, confident mezzo-soprano voice and can really belt out the tunes. The other band members give excellent instrumental performances on guitar, bass, upright bass, keyboards, trumpet, tenor sax, and drums. Their anti-bullying anthem, "Bully Bully" is heavily influenced by the Kingsmens' "Louie Louie" (1963). "High Five" and "Imagination" encourage listeners in their daily routines. Kemp's six-year-old son Zachary joins her on "Do You Ever Stop," about a child who runs his parents ragged. "Shake for Eight" encourages listeners to move to the music. "High Five" and "Bully Bully" are repeated on the final tracks with slightly different musical arrangements. The other songs include "The Melody in Me," "Kilimanjaro," "Shine," and "I Can't Sleep." This fun and upbeat album fulfills Kemp's goal to help listeners dream of possibilities beyond their own street and neighborhood.—Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX