It has become an annual tradition for artists of all genres to express themselves in the form of music for the holidays. And the best Christmas collections become classics that we pull out, year after year, to remind us of this special season.
Rarer though, is when top tier artists join together to record a full holiday album of all new material. And that’s the treat we’re getting this year with Holiday Soul, a sumptuous collection of songs written and co-produced by longtime SoulTracks favorite, James Day, and featuring the some of the greatest talents in soul and jazz today.
Drummer and producer supreme Lil John Roberts provides production and arrangements for the project, accompanied by Phil Davis (keys), Melvin Jones (horns), U-Nam (guitar), and conductor Hamilton Hardon and the Omina Session Strings. And SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Award winner, Frank McComb, along with Shelea and Shannon Pearson, are everpresent on vocals throughout the 8-song collection.
The album was a dream of Day’s that somehow came to reality with his talented friends. “When I decided I wanted to make this holiday record, I knew I wanted the music to be the exact opposite of what A.I. is doing to R&B and soul these days. I wanted real singers, real players, real instruments, and even real strings, horns, and orchestration.”
What he got was an instant classic – an album that could have been released anytime in the past four decades, and one that will likely be remembered four decades from now. Day reflects, “This project was in divine hands. We just needed to follow the calling. I’m so glad we did.”
Holiday Soul is our Featured Album for December. Below are YouTube videos of two songs, including the first single, “Winter Wunderland.” And check out the full album below!
CLICK HERE to check it out at your favorite service
