The music from Christmas keeps on going strong. Check out this year's new music which celebrates the birth of our Saviour:

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


Various Artists
Music World Master Series - Holiday
Music World Music
2007

Music World's five-song Christmas EP, officially titled Music World Master Series - Holiday, provides a soulful take on Christmas cuts from mainstream favorites Destiny's Child and Solange Knowles, who pair up for "Little Drummer Boy". Destiny's Child takes care of "Silent Night" all by themselves, adding some atmospheric wonderment to the guitar-splashed slowness of the rendition. Gospel trio Trin-i-tee 5:7 step up with perennial favorite "The Christmas Song", their soulful vocals enhanced by a subtle groove beat from producers The Barma Boyz.

Then on "O Holy Night" the three-some lend their sound to the meditative carol over soft acoustic guitar. Label newcomer Brian C. Wilson recalls Donny Hathaway on "This Christmas", sticking fairly close to the original hit both in interpretation and arrangement. (Look for this special voice to appear 2008 with his own project.)



Patti LaBelle
Miss Patti's Christmas
Island Def Jam Music Group
2007
Whew! For her latest Christmas project, Patti LaBelle gets things off to a rousing start with the original "Christmas Jam", and keeps it hot with "What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas". With production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, LaBelle pulls no punches, her heralded vocal brilliance making new songs and classics alike shine. In addition to standbys such as Andy Williams' "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and the Luther Vandross holiday favourite "Every Year, Every Christmas", LaBelle joins up with The Soul Seekers for a spirited rendition of "Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child".

Where she especially excels, however, is on the comforting carols of yesteryear, with a beautiful version of "Away In A Manger" and "Do You Hear What I Hear" making this an album that will be pulled out time and again in seasons to come.



Luther Barnes
Christmas With Luther Barnes
Malaco Records
2007
Luther Barnes released his first Christmas album way back in 1990. Seventeen years later, on Christmas with Luther Barnes, the Rocky Mount, North Carolina native continues to wrap his warm tenor around familiar Christmas songs and some new ones too. Joining Barnes throughout the 10-song set are family and friends.

The Sunset Jubiliaires step in on "Let's Go To Church on Christmas Day" and on a new arrangement of "Silver Bells". On "Hark The Herald Angels Sing", The Red Budd Youth Choir takes center stage, with youthful soloists taking turns on lead vocals. Lisa Barnes provides sensitive vocals on "Oh Holy Night". Original songs "There Is Room For Thee" and "On The Special Day" are gorgeous examples of Barnes' gift for balladry, which he also delivers on favourites "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and "Silent Night". There's something for everyone on this seasonal offering. .



Mississippi Mass Choir
We Have Seen His Star
Malaco Records
2007
Pumping powerful mass harmonies with their renowned enthusiasm and down-home flair, the prolific Mississippi Mass Choir pulls out all the stops on this live-recorded holiday release. Covering favourites such as "Silent Night" and "Joy To The World" (newly arranged by Jerry Smith and David Curry Jr. respectively), the choir puts their spin on familiar melodies, while adding their mass sound and featuring powerful vocalists.

New songs "Don't Take Christ Out of Christmas" (from Curry Jr.) and "Wise Men Still Seek Him" (from Jerry Mannery, James Mitchell and Jeffery Stallworth) add fresh takes on the Christmas story. Look for the ever-present Mosie "Mama" Burks on "Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child" and Rev. Benjamin Cone Jr. with his mellifluous baritone reading on "Just As I Am". Topping things off on this powerful release is the inclusion of an archival cut, "Come All Ye Faithful", featuring the late Rev. James Moore with soloists Alisa Patrick and Emma Curry.



The Isley Brothers, featuring Ronald Isley
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Island Def Jam Music Group
2007
Extra flava is yours on this first-ever Christmas release from The Isley Brothers, featuring Ronald Isley. Needless to say, the ole school soul dosage is heavy, as the legendary artists combine with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to create seasonal vibes.

In their capable hands, "White Christmas", "Winter Wonderland" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" will melt any snowfall, no matter what climate. On "The Christmas Song", guitar maestro Doc Powell is invited to lend his gift to the session, then on the original "I'm In Love", the Isleys smooth things with buttery vocals and instruments from Bobby Ross Avila. Also on the project is the Isley Christmas Medley, a beautiful meld of four traditional carols. Closing the 10-song project is a tender "Silent Night".



The Pace Family
Celebrating the Heart of Christmas
Tyscot Records
2007
The Anointed Pace Sisters, LaShun Pace, and Bishop Murphy Pace & The Voices of Power join forces to celebrate with a solid ten-track effort that is one of the year's most exciting holiday offerings. Daniel Moore II, who was the driving force behind The Anointed Pace Sisters' Return album, serves as the project's music director and producer, and does a remarkable job presenting seasonal landmarks as well as original pieces. The live effort captures the true musical potential of the Pace family and will give listeners a new appreciation for the musically gifted family.

Check out the contemporary filled "The King is Here (Rejoice)" which features Bishop Murphy Pace and the Voices of Power. The Anointed Pace Sisters add their flavor to the Butch Heyward penned "Unto Us", first released on the lone Christmas effort from James Hall and Worship and Praise. Their renditions of "Celebrating New Life" and the a cappella "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" are definitely worthy of multiple plays on the iPod. Keeping it in the family is Mother Bettie Ann Pace, who provides a rare treat as she leads the Anointed Pace Sisters on "Go Tell It On The Mountain". Equally noteworthy is the Pace Children's funky rendition of "Away In A Manger".

The Pace Family has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of the heart of Christmas, making celebration easy for all who listen.



Vickie Winans
Happy Holidays from Vickie Winans
Destiny Joy
2007
Hard to fathom there's never been a Christmas project from Vickie Winans, but true. So Winans pulls out all the stops on this project of firsts —it's the debut album on her own Destiny Joy label.

Totalling 15 cuts, Winans puts her distinctive touch to several seasonal classics, and also delivers several stunning originals, making for a highly listenable disc CD. The lead single, "Special Day", is a mid-tempo beacon with Fred Jerkins producing. Winans gives... full review.


Yolanda Adams
What A Wonderful Time
columbia Records
2007
Of the original tunes, Adams co-writes the title cut "What a Wonderful Time" along with Maxx Frank. Can you say "Big Band-O-Rama"? Full swing orchestra in stride and horns sweeping through, the song ends almost as quickly as it starts. John "Jubu" Smith is featured on the acoustic guitar driven "Hold On", a year-round song with a year-round message of hope, strength and endurance. Frank joins together with Eric Dawkins to pen "Just Because" and Gregory Curtis contributes "With God". A fresh take on music for the holidays, Yolanda Adams' What A Wonderful Time combines comfortable familiarity and daringly forges into the future... full review.


Stay tuned for more Christmas reviews coming soon....