January 10, 2007 - Take the fact that the soundtrack is for a Disney Channel Original Movie about a teenage son of a Brooklyn gym owner who finds out that he is good at double-dutch jump rope competitions and struggles with his decision whether or not to join the neighborhood team, and you know what to expect. Ingredients like Disney, teenage inner-turmoil, and finding yourself in Brooklyn calls for a kid-friendly, uplifting, hopeful, and inspiring R&B; flavored soundtrack. That is just what this age-restrictive soundtrack delivers.

The album opens to the sounds of double-dutch rope twirling, before thrusting listeners into the repetitive "It's On" from N.L.T. The bouncy R&B; popper sets the tone of the soundtrack, with a confidence-building call to action. Acoustic guitar flavored soul-searching "Where Do I Go From Here", from Sebastian Mego, serves one of several decent mid-tempo cuts that keep the album from becoming overrun with sugar-high poppy numbers. When not trying to get listeners to feel positive and follow their hearts, the soundtrack tries to get listeners on their feet and dancing. Tracks like Jordan Pruitt's mild "Jump To The Rhythm" and biggest name (and disappointment) Jeannie Ortega's tame "Live It Up" fail to do the trick. Prima J's electro-house flavored "Gotta Lotta" is the most addictive of the bunch; winning with a danceable retro sound.

The album features kid versions of a few grown-up R&B; goodies. Most interesting of them is T-Squad's "Vertical", which plays like an adolescent blend of Cameo funk mixed with some Sugar Hill Gang rapping. Scattershot "Go! (Jump In! Mix)" from Jupiter Rising is less amusing, as the riffling dance riffs and la las shuffle together for a sloppy childish take on Black Eyed Peas. A youthful jump-rope retelling of House Of Pain's is served up by Lil' Josh on "Jump". The bouncy track borrows the hook, but not the party atmosphere; trading the fun loving lyrics of the original for topical double-dutch specific raps.

The movie's stars even show up for a few cuts. Keke Palmer (Akeelah and the Bee) plays the leader of the neighborhood jump rope crew, and contributes two tracks. Empowering little R&B; shuffle "It's My Turn Now" shows Palmer doing an adequate job with the vocals; but, as most actor-turned-singer efforts, the overproduced poppy sound of the song buries most of the vocals. Palmer's decent vocals and catchy beats are spoiled on "Jumpin'", as nothing can withstand the overproduced sugary sound and overwhelming stench of cheesy lyrics, "Lift your sprits to the sky / Don't just let life pass you by / Nobody's going to stop us now / Nobody's going to keep us down". Corbin Bleu, the main character, sings on "Push It To The Limit". The track is apparently serving as the climactic moment where he has to make his decision. Bleu's vocals are not as strong as Palmer's, but the track is bouncier and less hokey.

The soundtrack for Jump In! does exactly what it is supposed to; deliver harmless, positive, empowering, family-friendly R&B.; It focuses on its goal so much that it limits itself from appealing to anyone outside the demographic for The Disney Channel. This is a recommended listen for anyone still watching the channel on a regular basis, but anyone who has outgrown the shows the mouse regularly shows will tire of this oppressively cheery and uplifting album quickly.

Definitely Download:
1. "Gotta Lotta" - Prima J
2. "Vertical" - T-Squad
3. "Where Do I Go From Here" - Sebastian Mego