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“Christmas Cheers,” in advance to everyone this upcoming holiday season! We often complain about hearing Christmas music being played to early. Therefore, we grow a little weary because of the lack of original songs. Nevertheless, there’s no need to be a scrooge about it so we decided to celebrate the wealth of good music available and compiled a list of what we think are unique “Christmas Gems” for this Holiday Season!
Verve Remixed
Various Artists | Verve Remixed Christmas
The groundbreaking Verve Remixed compilation series has, for several years, established itself as one of the most innovative and successful series in music. Its popularity and acclaim is well-founded: the marriage between the timeless Verve Records catalog and the most talked-about DJs and producers today. `Tis the season for the latest in the pioneering series: Verve Remixed Christmas. Classic interpretations of holiday songs by legendary artists like Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald – everlasting standards that have evoked the holiday spirit for decades are re-imagined by visionary beat-makers, yielding classics for a new era. – Amazon.com
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight | I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Christmas cheer runneth over with McKnight’s first true holiday collection featuring all of your favorite Christmas classics and three new McKnight holiday originals – presented in that smokey R&B mold that McKnight does so well; McKnight’s famed vocal prowess will definitely make this the most wonderful time of the year! As an extra special bonus, Josh Groban, Rascal Flatts and Babyface also make guest appearances on the album! McKnight’s visibility will be growing around the holiday season and into 2009. Already a household as a result of his hits, a stint in Chicago on Broadway, and his own radio show (KTWV the Wave /LA, McKnight is also the host of his very own video countdown Soul Sessions with Brian McKnight on BET.
Bob James
Bob James | Christmas Eyes
(Koch Records) releases our new CD out in time for the 2008 holiday season. The title track is an original vocal tune written by Hilary James and her husband, Kevin DiSimone.
There are 13 tracks in all, ten vocals – all performed by Hilary and Kevin. Along with traditional favorites like ‘Silent Night’, ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘Greensleeves’ among others, also featured here are three instrumentals with arrangements by Bob James. Very special guest artists include Al Gorgoni, James Genus, Billy Kilson, Chuck Loeb and Dave Koz.- BobJames.com
Al Jarreau
Al Jarreau | Christmas
After signing with Reprise in 1975, Al Jarreau has become a master of both studio and stage. He is one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of our time. He now releases his first holiday collection and first album of newly recorded music since 2006’s Givin’ It Up. Christmas includes the singer’s distinctive vocal spin on a dozen yuletide classics.
Although, it’s been a long time coming Al has arrived with one of his best records to date.
– Amazon.com
Spyro Gyra
Spyro Gyra | A Night Before Christmas
A Jazz twist for that magical night, The Night Before Christmas. Get into the holiday groove with Spyro Gyra, a jazz fusion band that was originally formed in the mid-1970s in Buffalo, New York, USA. Their music, which has been influential in the development of smooth Jazz as they combine Jazz with elements of R&B, Funk and Pop music. Although generally considered to be more “Jazz” than “smooth”, Spyro Gyra’s music emphasizes melody over improvisation. Catch the spirit of the season with Spyro Gyra!
– Amazon.com
Yo-Yo Ma & Friends
Yo-Yo Ma & Friends | Songs of Joy and Peace
Imagine a party, a musical party inspired by the holiday season. A party that celebrates the universal hopes, dreams and joy animating seasonal festivals the world over – Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid al-Adha, Kwanzaa, Yule and New Year’s Day. That is what brought Yo-Yo Ma together with a remarkable group of friends – some old, some new – to create SONGS OF JOY & PEACE. It is Yo-Yo’s hope that everyone who listens to this album will hear a song familiar, comfortable and beloved to them as well as discover and fall in love with music that is brand new. – Amazon.com
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