Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 10/31/2006
One of
smooth jazz's funkiest and most popular artists,
Brian Culbertson has engaged the genre's audiences for years with a perfect mix of lively
funk, jazzy piano and keyboard energy, and a softer intimate side that earned him one critic's designation as "the
Barry White of
smooth jazz." Faced with trying to find new ways to skin the cat of
holiday songs that have been done a million times,
Culby exceeds all expectations, bringing every side of his charismatic magic touch to
standards you won't mind hearing just one more time. He gets off to a rousing, big-production start, jamming wildly on an in-your-face bluesy, jazzy,
gospel take on
"Joy to the World" (complete with a
gospel choir), then seeks
Dave Koz's help in creating a sweet, subtle arrangement of
"Deck the Halls." The vibe rides like a roller coaster from there, starting with a rousing, slightly
stride-influenced
"Jingle Bells" (which breaks into a fun,
Ramsey Lewis-flavored
traditional jazz verse and includes a
big-band segment featuring
Culbertson's other instrument, the trombone). It's incredible what happens when he enlists
Jeff Lorber and
Peter White to help him arrange two other classics --
Lorber helps
Culby get even funkier and
White brings out that intimate side. Amid the sizzle and cool are some unique and unexpected vocal treats --
Michael McDonald on the soaring, original power
soul ballad "All Through the Christmas Night" and a stunning, crystalline
pop classical vocal by wife
Michelle Culbertson (who in 2006 released the
inspirational album
Be Still My Soul) on the lesser-heard
"Some Children See Him." Culbertson also creates a trippy, off-meter percussion vibe on
"Little Drummer Boy" that creates a fascinating impressionistic feeling. Calling this work
A Soulful Christmas is a good marketing idea, but soul is only the beginning of a collection that truly captures the many emotions of the holidays -- and the artist at his most creative.
~Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
;)
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