Andy Cooper - Kid Hop (Audio Network) 
Release Date: Out Now
This won't be everyone's cup of tea but for those that love it, this album will go on repeat and become a firm favourite - I am quite certain of that. You see, lyrical maverick Andy Cooper has cut an entire long player of original Hip-Hop music written specifically to be accessible to children but there is plenty for adults to enjoy too so let's dive in to 'Kid Hop', shall we? The album kicks off with 'Pick It Up' but the 'It' in the title doesn't refer to a beat or a party but the dirty clothes, toys and other detritus that kids leave all over the place - set to a funky hip-hop beat, of course. The laid back flow of 'Now You Know' is the kind of infotainment that you might have expected from a prime Sesame Street episode to teach you to count to twelve.
There's a gospel joy to 'Today's My Day' designed to make you strut and stride with confidence in yourself and it's a huge delight to listen to whether you're eight, eighteen or eighty. 'Don't Scratch That Itch' gives a chunky bass line to a song about self-control before 'So Many Things I Love To Do' shows off Cooper's 100mph flow as he lists all of his favourite activities like Julie Andrews if the Sound of Music has been set in the Bronx. My favourite tune on this album, from a message point of view, is 'Let Me Be Me' which extols the virtues of letting kids express themselves rather than conforming in to life's pigeon holes too early.
'It's Time To Get Silly' and 'P.A.R.T.Y.' are tailor made for entertaining kids and do exactly what they say on the tin in terms of delivering positive energy and good vibes. Similarly, the perky melodies and energy continue on 'Get Fresh' before 'I've Got To Move' which is like a distilled block party soaked in break dancing, beats and smiles from ear to ear. 'Old School New School' is a great anthem to quell those September nerves and have kids strutting on to school grounds in their starched shirts and shiny shoes. The album rounds off on 'Stretch and Yawn', the first Hip-Hop lullaby that these aging ears have heard and, honestly, I'd be happy to hear this every evening before I went to bed. Like I said, not for everyone, but play this to some kids at the right age (I'd say between five and ten) and you could be turning them on to a huge world of music that was previously unavailable to them. Amazing stuff.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/acooper75
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