Michal 'Peanut' Karmi Releases New Album 'Cuddlebug Parade'

By: Caryn Robbins Jun. 15, 2015

Parents and children nationwide will soon become privy to a secret that Los Angeles families already know: independent children's musician Michal "Peanut" Karmi has a one-of-a-kind, magic touch with the very young. With the release of her album, Cuddlebug Parade, Peanut is ready to take her place in the hearts of families throughout the country.

Cuddlebug Parade relates beautifully with that expanding universe known as early childhood, effortlessly contributing to the development of a sense of curiosity about the world that will set the pace for knowledge acquisition. Peanut sweetly sings about the joys of playing in the mud, eating colorful vegetables, going to the market, savoring a beautiful day, or just plain being silly. In a nutshell: celebrating things that matter.

Says Peanut, "After I graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Sustainable Food Systems and Environmental Ethics, I looked for a way to combine this rigorous course of study with a profession that was right for me. Happily, my efforts led me to build a career in children's music through an eco-friendly, animal-friendly, humanitarian, love-oriented lens. Besides, when my voice makes tiny little humans light up, and I see that it is touching their hearts, I know I'm doing what I'm meant to do."

With her gentle sincerity and unpretentious approach, Peanut has created a cozy, comforting recording that toddlers and preschoolers will love. Her ukulele-powered music is both upbeat and heartwarming, and she has carefully designed the sound of Cuddlebug Parade, creating distinctive effects and memorable chord progressions that, by album's end, greet young listeners like old friends. Fluent in three languages, Peanut introduces both Spanish and Hebrew into several of her songs. Adult ears may discern Peanut's affection for New Orleans jazz while picking up on influences ranging from Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss to Lewis Carroll, but for little ones, Cuddlebug Parade is simply a joyful, warm, and welcoming musical experience, the perfect soundtrack for a young child's day.

On Cuddlebug Parade, ukulele, string bass, trombone, trumpet, clarinet and a tasteful sprinkling of percussion underscore Peanut's sweet vocals. Highlights include "Little Bear Blue," written for Alicia Silverstone's son Bear Blu; "Stompin' At The Market," an activity song that's especially fun when it "jumps" to a faster tempo; "My Outfit's Not Complete!," a two-beat ode to the polka-dotted, striped, and plaid occupants of the closet; and "Abuelita," a Spanish song with nice stand-up bass accompaniment. Peanut also includes several spoken word interludes chanted to an invigorating rhythmic pulse, such as "The Big Bug Band" a nursery story-time answer to rap, backed by some fine action from drummer Josh Collazo of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Cuddlebug Parade is available at Amazon, CDBaby, Bandcamp, and iTunes.

Visit Michal "Peanut" Karmi's website HERE.

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