(December 6, 2024) New Christmas Standards, a holiday album released by The Unit, slid by mostly unnoticed amid the blizzard of Christmas singles and albums released in 2022. That’s a shame because this diverse record by the Los Angeles based band that backs Sy Smith is an energetic amalgamation of artists singing original holiday tunes in styles that range from funk, blues/rock, R&B and Southern Soul/spoken word.
Vocal collaborators include L. Young and Crystal Starr on the neo-soul tinged “Alright Christmas,” Mike Corrado on the rollicking “Crescent Moon Christmas,” the fun and funky “Make My Christmas Green” where Myra Washington is not talking about grass and the Southern Soul of “Christmas Queen,” with Martin Kember and Malcolm Jamal-Warner handling the vocals.
Sy Smith finds her sweet spot on “Love You At Christmas Time,” a cut where Smith uses her sweet voice to set the scene of her enjoying the gift of time with that special someone. Smith describes her plans for a Dec. 25 gathering that will be limited to a party of two, as she awaits the arrival of her man. Christmas brings out the romantic in everyone, and this smooth R&B number is one you will want to have playing when exchanging gifts with your significant other. Check it out here.
By Howard Dukes
