IN THE CHRISTMAS GROOVE
VARIOUS ARTISTS
(Strut)
Sick of the usual holiday favorites (though I'll never tired of Saint Mariah), I was pleased as rare twist punch with In the Christmas Groove — a compilation of obscure stone cold soul, funk, and other vintage grooves from Christmas past, namely the 1960s and '70s holiday spirits.
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Kicking off with Jimmy Reed's funkified "Christmas Presents Blues," the album can instantly be split into two kinds of songs — those that would stand on their own, Christmastime or not, and those with an unavoidable level of merry X-mas kitsch. Most poignant of the bunch is Harlem Children's Chorus' soulful "Black Christmas" hoping for "that moment when/there's peace on earth/good will to men/in the ghetto/Black Christmas." The most James Brown-esque, get-on-your-feet and let's dance, track come courtesy J.D. McDonald: "Boogaloo Santa Claus." Hint: there are a few NYE tunes to help you ride out the holidays.
Get into it: