The eight retro-pop tunes on this lively album cover a range of affirming themes, including family diversity, body positivity, self-confidence, and expansive gender expression.
Miss Tutti and The Fruity Band is led by music educator Gracie Nash, aka Miss Tutti, who co-produced the album with Grammy and Tony winner Charlie Rosen. The band is made up of New York City musicians and educators including Emmy nominee Emma Jayne (The Tonight Show), Laura Dadap (Nickelodeon), Dan Corica (Theatreworks), Olivia Griffin (Little Shop Of Horrors), and Scott Still (New York Pops). Together, they offer well-crafted tunes drawing from classic pop genres, not the saccharine and insipid jingles that sometimes pass for children’s music. Adults should enjoy listening, too, which is good when your kid has these on repeat:
- “Take Up Space” is an ode to doing just that, whether physically or personality-wise.
- “The Belly Song” celebrates body positivity and our wonderful bellies.
- “Tooting Fruits” is a disco celebration of a sometimes embarrassing but perfectly normal bodily function.
- “Figgy’s Song” slows things down for a song about a boy who knows his self-worth and reinforces this with daily affirmations.
- “What Is Normal” asks that question and answers that there really is no such thing.
- “I Look Good” is an assertion of self-confidence whose vogue-inspired tune will have listeners strutting down the runway (at home or elsewhere).
- “What Love Can Look Like” honors family diversity and LGBTQ families in particular. It was co-written with and performed by Jayne, who is also a queer youth advocate.
- “The Flower Song” explores the metaphor that people are like flowers, in many shapes, sizes, and colors, blooming in different ways.
Nash herself was bullied starting at age 4, according to a press release, but found a safe place in the music classroom. Later, as the body positivity movement started growing in music and media, she “found freedom in finally seeing herself represented.” She’s now on a mission to create “a musical safe space for all, kids and adults alike.”
Have a listen with your favorite young people (or heck, by yourself, because we could all use a shot of confidence juice now and again). It’s a worthy addition to the growing number of LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ music albums.
