Various Artists | In The Christmas Groove
Album Review: Various Artists | In The Christmas Groove
By Brent Faulkner
Most people, regardless if they are professional musicians, amateurs or merely music lovers, LIVE for the holiday season because they get to ‘break out’ their Christmas (holiday) albums. Regardless of religious preference or the vast array of ways the holidays can be celebrated (whether it be Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or otherwise), music is a unique and unifying part of the tradition. There is nothing better than a great Christmas compilation albums to hype up the holiday season even more. In The Christmas Groove is just that; it’s a compilation album that collects classic soul, funk, and blues holiday tracks from the past. The album is a captivating idea and an even more captivating listen as it is composed of originals and gems, many unheard before. Sure, thirteen tracks of similar styles has it sagging moments given the ‘sameness,’ but for the most part, In The Christmas Groove is the epitomization of great music from the past.
Jimmy Reed starts things off right with “Christmas Present Blues,” whose high-watermark might be the sizzling harmonica solo. Brief it may be, the groove is characteristically funky, taking the listeners ‘way back in the day’ to the golden days of the blues. Electric Jungle follows up Reed’s ‘tour de force’ with their own “Funky, Funky Christmas,” which lifts off a number of Christmas carols (“Little Drummer Boy” being one). As its title states, it exemplifies the funk style, particularly the soulful saxophone solo. “Soul Santa,” performed by Funk Machine, does not disappoint either. Lifting off of “Jingle Bells,” the track erupts into a massive funk arrangement, intact with soulful guitar, horns, and big funky bass line. As for the vocals? They are enjoyable, not to mention the background vocals which make the palette all the more complete.
“Getting Down for Christmas,” performed by Milly & Silly (what a great name!), is a fine instrumental cut; I love the way this track evolves naturally, building up to fruition. “Black Christmas,” performed by the Harlem’s Children’s Chorus, is another solid cut, with a mature sounding soloist who possesses a fine timbre about his youthful voice. Soulful and brief, the cuts pack enough punch and history that they are enjoyable, ‘retro-fantastic’ listens.
“Angel’s Christmas,” contributed by Wild Honey continues the upward swing. The strings are lovely here, not to mention the driving, funky groove. “Angel’s Christmas” is also worth mentioning as the vocal performance sounds more nuanced than others that are more fixated on the groove. “Home On Christmas Day,” performed by Captain Elmo McKenzie & The Roosters is solid, while “Santa’s Got a Bag of Soul” (Soul Saints Orchestra) is valedictory, excelling in every regard. The male lead rivals the late great James Brown, delivering a vocal performance filled with gusto and undeniable, unquestionable swagger. “Santa” proves to be the very epitomization of the ‘funk/soul’ idiom.
“Boogaloo Santa Claus,” performed by J.D. McDonald is fun and addictive, though it overstays its welcome, particularly given its placement closer to the end of the album. “Christmas Morning,” performed by Zebra is also enjoyable and unique, but drags on too long clocking in closer to the five-minute mark. Admirable about “Christmas Morning” is its change of styles near the two-minute mark, which differentiates it from all the other cuts.
The final three tracks are among the best of the consistent effort. “Let’s Get It Together This Christmas” (Harvey Averne Band) is brief, but packs quite the punch with its incorporation of horns, guitar, organ, etc. The chorus is well penned and simple, which is something that made music ‘back when’ timeless. “The New Year,” contributed by a soulful Jimmy Jules, is perfect by all means. The female backing vocals help to strengthen Jules’s commanding lead vocals, and the instrumental arrangement is spot-on. Closer, “Auld Lang Syne” (The Black On White Affair), is more than a traditional setting of ‘The New Years’s Song’ and proves to be appropriately placed at the end of this effort. The recording quality is questionable (keeping in mind this is an extremely old recording), but the effect that the listener gets is NOT compromised whatsoever.
Essentially, In The Christmas Groove is quite the ‘Christmas gem’ for your Holiday music collection. Filled with rarities one would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, there is enough solid material on this effort to allure more than just the avid blues, soul, or funk fans. Where some compilations feel incredibly stale and ill conceived, this one has enough ‘bright spots’ to be considered satisfactory.
Brent Faulkner
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 12/15/2010 1:10 PM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Compilations, Christmas
Tags: Rhythm And Blues
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Compilations, Christmas
Tags: Rhythm And Blues
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