Los Angeles—It's old school meets new school on the get-down CD from Groove Kid Nation: The Wheels on the Bus. Aimed at young children who like a groove thing, and adults who want a little funk in their lives, this is music meant to get everyone moving and thinking about music. It's multi-dimensional, multi-racial music for the whole family.
Groove Kid Nation is the brainchild of Los Angeles based keyboardist Rodney Lee, who has more than 20 years of experience as a touring sideman, record producer and recording artist. He's also a first-time dad who decided to create what he could not find for his son: music reminiscent of growing up in the funk-filled, soul-infused 1960s and 70s.
The Wheels on the Bus recasts classic children's songs as funky soul foot-stompers. Along with the title track, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Froggy Went a Courting, and The Alphabet Song become not just danceable but likeable tunes whose rhythms all but demand repeated listening. A few original pieces are also thrown into the mix. Each tune features a whimsical animal character performing a solo on its instrument, and an enclosed 10-page booklet features illustrations of these new animal friends.
“When I was a kid, the music on Saturday morning cartoon shows like Fat Albert, the Jackson 5 and The Banana Splits made a big impression on me," Lee said. “After the birth of my son (now 2), I looked for this kind of funky children's music and couldn't find what I wanted to hear, especially, over and over. So I decided to do what I do: make music with some funk to it."
The first release in a planned series, The Wheels on the Bus (national retail release March 8), showcases the piano, saxophone, trumpet, voice, flute, trombone, guitar, bass, and drums, as performed by a host of L.A. musicians with impressive credentials, including alto saxophonist Mindi Adair (Concord). “These are the players who keep the music business moving and grooving," Lee said. Their combined credits include touring/recording work with superstars such as Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Colbie Cailat, Stevie Wonder, Beck, Seal, Joss Stone, Usher, Sting, Patti Labelle, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock and P-Diddy, to name just a few.
“As I began work on this project, I realized that I had the best test audience in the world—my own son," Lee said. “I knew I was on the right track when he would come into the studio and do all of the hand gestures to a song like The Itsy Bitsy Spider—even though it was over a funky James Brown-inspired groove."
Ten percent of the wholesale price of The Wheels on the Bus will be donated to CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting poverty.
Rodney Lee plans Groove Kid Nation events to celebrate the release. For more information visit groovekidnation.com. Retail distribution is available from Distribution 13.
Groove Kid Nation is the brainchild of Los Angeles based keyboardist Rodney Lee, who has more than 20 years of experience as a touring sideman, record producer and recording artist. He's also a first-time dad who decided to create what he could not find for his son: music reminiscent of growing up in the funk-filled, soul-infused 1960s and 70s.
The Wheels on the Bus recasts classic children's songs as funky soul foot-stompers. Along with the title track, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Froggy Went a Courting, and The Alphabet Song become not just danceable but likeable tunes whose rhythms all but demand repeated listening. A few original pieces are also thrown into the mix. Each tune features a whimsical animal character performing a solo on its instrument, and an enclosed 10-page booklet features illustrations of these new animal friends.
“When I was a kid, the music on Saturday morning cartoon shows like Fat Albert, the Jackson 5 and The Banana Splits made a big impression on me," Lee said. “After the birth of my son (now 2), I looked for this kind of funky children's music and couldn't find what I wanted to hear, especially, over and over. So I decided to do what I do: make music with some funk to it."
The first release in a planned series, The Wheels on the Bus (national retail release March 8), showcases the piano, saxophone, trumpet, voice, flute, trombone, guitar, bass, and drums, as performed by a host of L.A. musicians with impressive credentials, including alto saxophonist Mindi Adair (Concord). “These are the players who keep the music business moving and grooving," Lee said. Their combined credits include touring/recording work with superstars such as Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Colbie Cailat, Stevie Wonder, Beck, Seal, Joss Stone, Usher, Sting, Patti Labelle, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock and P-Diddy, to name just a few.
“As I began work on this project, I realized that I had the best test audience in the world—my own son," Lee said. “I knew I was on the right track when he would come into the studio and do all of the hand gestures to a song like The Itsy Bitsy Spider—even though it was over a funky James Brown-inspired groove."
Ten percent of the wholesale price of The Wheels on the Bus will be donated to CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting poverty.
Rodney Lee plans Groove Kid Nation events to celebrate the release. For more information visit groovekidnation.com. Retail distribution is available from Distribution 13.
