If these truly gorgeous lullabies and songs from all over the world don't soothe the savage beast within your child, nothing will. This hypnotic collection of soft and slow melodies--some ancient, some new--is perfect for lulling a child to sleep or for any evening when you want to escape into a warm bath with candles. Carlos Santana accompanies African singer Angelique Kidjo on the sweet opener, "Naima." Claudia Martinez sings "Arriba Del Cielo (Above the Sky)," a lilting traditional lullaby with roots in the Mexican state of Guerrero. The Letterstick Band, from the small An-Barra clan of Australian Aborigines, performs the moving "Yi-Rrana (Sunset)." One favorite is "Lá Vai Alguém (There Goes Someone)," a hot-summer-night-sounding lullaby sung in velvety tones by Virginia Rosa. Another lovely addition is Kanji Yano of the Sanshin Café Orchestra playing a generations-old lullaby on a traditional stringed instrument from Okinawa called the sanshin. The liner notes, written in English, Spanish, French, and Dutch, provide kid-friendly facts about the countries of origin. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Putumayo Cross-Cultural Initiative, a non-profit organization that uses the power of world music and the arts to inspire children to connect with diverse cultures. Vive Dreamland! --Karin Snelson

Full Title - Dreamland World Lullabies & Soothing Songs. Putumayo invites you to turn down the lights and relax to the tranquil melodies of gorgeous lullabies & soothing songs from Africa, Europe, North & South America & Asia. More than simply a bedtime album for children, Dreamland features beautiful, universally appealing songs that will help create a calm ambience in the home & during yoga, meditation & massage sessions. Featuring Angelique Kidjo with Carlos Santana, Zulya, Beatriz Pichi Malen, Claudia Martinez, Fortuna & more. 13 tracks packaged in digipak format. 2003.