Penguin Cafe Orchestra is the second studio album by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, released in 1981 and recorded between 1977 and 1980. The band's lineup expanded significantly for this album, with contributions from Simon Jeffes, Helen Leibmann, Steve Nye, Gavyn Wright, and others. All tracks were composed by Jeffes, except for "Paul's Dance" (co-written with Nye), "Cutting Branches" (traditional), and "Walk Don't Run" (by Johnny Smith). The cover art was created by Emily Young. "Cutting Branches for a Temporary Shelter" is based on the traditional Zimbabwean song "Nhemamusasa," featured in a field recording on The Soul of the Mbira album.