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The Final Funktier

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PreS-Gr 2—Seattle-based Recess Monkey (Jack Forman, Daron Henry, and Andrew Holloway) have concocted an outer space-themed album of 15 original songs, most in funk rock style, but with some 60s rock, soft rock, and even a conga tune included. They harmonize beautifully and perform magnificently on keyboards (mostly organ-like sounds), guitars, and bass, while the performance on drums and percussion is particularly outstanding. Several guest musicians contribute to their excellent sound including Chris Wiser of Sugar Free Allstars on keyboards. An enthusiastic children's chorus joins in on five of the songs. The band uses outer space sound effects and weird voices to excellent effect. Their first song "Liftoff!" segues smoothly into the second piece "Moon Boots." Mayor Monkey makes an appearance in "Space Elevator Music." Among the other songs are "Jet Pack," "Ukulalien" (a ukulele-playing alien), "Beat-Box-a-Robot" (a robot that constructs itself using various drums and percussion instruments), and "Constellation Conga." Recess Monkey's previous album, Field Trip (SLJ, Aug. 2009, p. 58), was an ALA Notable Children's Recording, and this new album, featuring exceptional musicianship and clever lyrics, should be purchased for every library's music collection.—Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX
In this beautiful, heartrending, yet horrifying film, North Koreans tell their stories of imprisonment, sexual slavery, torture, murder, and escape to China or South Korea during the nearly 50-year regime of Kim Il Sung (1912—94). The interviews are illustrated through the interspersion of dance sequences, archival news footage, and drawings. Particularly interesting are the North Korean propaganda films celebrating Kim Il Sung as God and showing in the face of mass starvation happy workers, elaborate military displays, and the creation of a new flower in 1988 in honor of the 46th birthday of Kim's son and successor, Kim Jong Il. A valuable time line traces 20th-century events in Korea. Bonus features include previously unreleased footage of camp refugees. This mesmerizing film displays excellent production values and is highly recommended for Asia collections.—Kitty Chen Dean, formerly with Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY
Reviewed by Kitty Chen Dean , Aug 01, 2010

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