Ledisi

In 2008, there's a Christmas album for every genre and mood under the solstice sun! Ledisi's It's Christmas fits the smooth jazz, lite R&B and spiritual molds for those of you who enjoy seasonal music which focuses on the holiness of the holidays. Ledisi's powerful, Gospel-influenced pipes and her New Orleans upbringing make for a soulful holiday album that isn't embarrassed by its disco and dance nature! So grab a scalding hot cup of cider or hot cocoa, suck on a few candy canes and gather 'round the Christmas tree, while singing and swaying to Ledisi's take on spreading holiday cheer.

It's Christmas features a host of religious-leaning Christmas songs that celebrate the birth of Christ, such as "Children, Go Where I Send Thee" and "Silent Night," but Ledisi is able to turn the volume up and down on the classics. She gets hip with "Be There For Christmas" and displays her tender side on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." She mixes the usual suspects with lesser knowns like the shyly romantic "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" and "Thank You," which is a jazzy sprawl that closes out the album.

The brazen duet "Please Come Home For Christmas" is a barnburner full of emotion and passion. It sounds more like a love song than a celebratory tune, and that's okay. Christmastime often reminds people of what's important in life, and this song is an indicator of that. The album also features plenty of harmonizing; it's like having your own personal set of Christmas carolers without having them serenade you outside your wreath-covered front door! It's Christmas offers its own spin on songs that have stood the test of time, and it's as refreshing as a blast of Arctic air in your lungs to have these tunes re-worked and re-fashioned in a refined yet urban way. Grab that Santa and reindeer-festooned sweater and start singing along.

— Amy Sciarretto
12.15.08