Stocking Stuffers: New Holiday Music

By admin
Dec 11, 2008
4:00 am

In many households across the country, Christmas isn’t the same without certain holiday classics. Who hasn’t tested how low his or her voice could go while singing along to the Temptations’ soulful rendition of “Silent Night” or their rhyme skills alongside Run DMC on “Christmas in Hollis?” While the classics of yesterday will always maintain a nostalgic place in our hearts, several artists are hoping there’s room on the music lovers’ playlist to add new takes to holiday classics. Here’s a list of the top 10 new releases that can help make for a soulful and festive holiday season. – ivory m. jones

	Various Artists – Miracle Christmas Night (Penny’s Gang Records) The Emotions’ Wanda Vaughn opens this CD with `x followed by an introduction from Stevie Wonder.
	Ledisi – It’s Christmas (Verve) Gospel, jazz and soul music blend together on classics such as “Give Love on Christmas Day” and “Silent Night.”
	Brian McKnight – I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Razor & Tie) Sexy singer gets a little help from country star Vince Gill (“Christmas You and Me”) and his sons Brian Jr. and Nikolas (“Let It Snow”).
	Al Jarreau Christmas (Rhino) This legendary vocalist jazzes up classics such as “Winter Wonderland” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
	Paul Morton – Paul Morton’s Christmas Classics (Light Records) Bishop Paul S. Morton celebrates Christmas will holiday classics like “O Holy Night,” “This Christmas,” and “Away in a Manger.”
	Jim Jones & Skull Gang Present A Tribute to Bad Santa Bad Santa Starring Mike Epps (Koch) Far from your typical holiday release, this album unites hip-hop and comedy on original tracks like “Christmas in the Ghetto” and “Merry Christmas.”
	Various Artists – Peanut Butter Wolf Presents Badd Santa (Stones Throw) PBW digs through the crates for such hidden holiday gems as James Brown’s “Go Power at Christmas Time” while adding new ones, such as Georgia Anne Muldrow’s “The Kwanzaa Song.”
	Coko – Coko Christmas (Light Records) Soul siren soars on traditional holiday songs like “O Holy Night” and “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.”
	Creflo Dollar – Christmas in the City (Arrow) World Changers Church International leader takes listeners on a gospel-filled holiday ride with “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Changing Your World Mass Choir) and “First Noel” (Deleon).
	Mandisa – It’s Christmas (Sparrow) Former “American Idol” contestant gets into the Christmas spirit on numbers such as “What Christmas Means to Me” and “Mary’s Little Boy Child.”