Christmas music is still as strong as ever, with several Gospel artists releasing seasonal recordings in 2004. Check out the selections:

Christmas reviews from previous years are also still available. And there's also a special review page for those classic Christmas albums.


Mario Pelchat
Noel Avec Jireh Gospel Choir
Joy Cubed Music
2004

Noel Avec Jireh Gospel Choir doesn't spring any surprises. No, even better, it delivers lots of warmly-rendered, time-tested traditional favorites (but maybe not so familiar to those not accustomed to hearing their favorites sung in French). The wonder of it all is that the flava of Gospel is embedded into so much of the material.

Mario Pelchat's rich, near-classical tenor is up front, beginning with "Sainte Nuit" ("Silent Night"). After a string overture to the strains of "Nearer My God To Thee", the song moves into ethereal territory, with bells.... See full review.




Various Artists
A Joy Cubed Christmas: A Concert at the Cathedral International
Joy Cubed Music
2004

With Joe "Flip" Wilson at production control, there's plenty of innovation to dig into, starting with an unusual treament of "Silent Night". With jazz injections at both the instrumental and the vocal level, the piece features Leah Hilliard.

Praise & worship's Stephen Hurd lends his voice to the advent carol, "O Come Emmanuel". Smooth strings combined with Jeff Davis' rapid-patter snare motif is layered under Hurd's smooth rendering of this favorite..... See full review.




Various Artists
All Star Gospel Hits - Christmas
Word Records
2004

The twelve songs on the project are again assembled by Eric Wyse along with Brenda Boswell, with journalist Bill Carpenter providing the always-relevant research and background info (which translates into some very-readable liner notes).

Highlights on the disc include songs from Gospel greats that are probably tucked back in your memory, but also some gems that may have escaped attention their first time out...... See full review.




George Huff
My Christmas EP!
Word Records
2004

American Idol finalist George Huff calls his first project My Christmas EP! Only five songs in length, the disc none-the-less captures the George Huff that everyone came to love on the hit Fox TV show. Producers Cedric and Victor Caldwell guide the effort, putting Huff's warm and pleasing vocals into a nice, musical pocket, surrounding the whole with vintage instrumental sounds.

Starting with the ever-present "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", Huff shows himself comfortable in the classics. "Angels Medley", with its combo of several like-themed carols and hymns, allows Huff to expand a little in vocal creativity. Traditional Gospel comes through on "Go Tell It On The Mountain", before the more mellow and meditative offerings of "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night". As a herald of things to come, My Christmas EP! whets the appetite for Huff's upcoming full-length album in 2005.



The Cross Movement and Friends
Gift Rap
Cross Movement Records
2004

Here's an 11-track offering of all original “feel good” vibes for the Christmas season. Alongside The Cross Movement, to celebrate the birth of the Saviour are an entourage of guests including Rock Soul Entertainment artists J-Silas and Michelle Bonilla, as well as UK’s M.O.D. and languid lyricists Da’ T.R.U.T.H., J.R., Flame and S.O.U.L...... See full review.




Martha Munizzi
When He Came
Martha Munizzi Ministries
2004

In her first Christmas offering, Martha Munizzi sticks with the tried and true, both in production and material. Most of the material is traditional Christmas songs, some done with a twist, some in their original simple form. Sure to afford Munizzi with a more vast audience, the choice seems to be a wise one, because in a season rooted in tradition, holding fast to familiarity is always good.... See full review.




Candi Staton
My Christmas Prayer
Beracah Music
re-released 2004

On this album re-released in 2004, the unmistakeable voice of Candi Staton carves into a set of ten songs that run the gamut from originals to loved carols. The story-track “On A Christmas Night” contrasts with the traditional boister of “Joy To The World”, while the quiet of “Come Let Us Adore Him” emphasizes the in-your-face, fast-paced harmonizing of “Wise Still Seek Him”. Staton then slams a dance-track cut onto the end of the project. “Change In My Life” hearkens memories to her renowned dance-floor stylings.