| Jazz |
And voilà! Another one! But this one, besides being exquisitely crafted, just might make you dance—and truth be told, it begs the question whether this holiday season is merely a pretext to release an exceptionally beautiful jazz album, slyly catching the eye with an ultra-kitschy, yet undeniably funny cover… As summer yields to autumn and autumn to winter, few cultural shifts are as iconic as those affecting radio playlists, café soundtracks, and personal music libraries. As the air chills, records by the likes of Vince Guaraldi and Frank Sinatra reemerge, and “Linus and Lucy” once again becomes an unmissable hit. For acclaimed pianist Jeff Babko, the festive season is one of his favorite times as a musician. From the delight of bringing down the box of Christmas vinyls from the attic to the joy of performing holiday songs with friends, Babko finds beauty and cheer in the nostalgia and familiarity of the seasonal repertoire.
The arrangements are so artfully crafted that one sometimes struggles to recognize the classic holiday tunes—they’re designed to immerse you in a singular ambiance of pop, jazz, or funk, featuring performers who each shine in their respective genres. Here, “Silent Night” plunges into a full-on ’70s funk/soul groove, with Band of Brothers absolutely excelling on every track, taking each song to the very top.
Minutes after receiving an idea by text, Babko recorded voice memos on his phone while on his way to the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Hollywood. This first seed quickly took root, blossoming into This Year At Christmas, a joyous and festive take on Christmas traditions by the jazz supergroup Band of Other Brothers. Shortly into the album’s arranging process, saxophonist Jeff Coffin contributed a wealth of ideas.
The song “This Year at Christmas,” which became the album’s title track, had already been co-written with a friend in Nashville, and Babko, experimenting with the melody in his studio, started infusing it with the soulful flair of Stax Records. With the added talents of drummer Keith Carlock and guitarist Nir Felder, a fusion of ideas, influences, and styles emerged, transforming these holiday tunes from mere seasonal staples into a vibrant showcase of artistry—a creative gem that, though familiar, is indeed a true artistic jewel.
We’re fully steeped in that Stax Records vibe, even if the bass mix could use a bit more depth; regardless, this album won us over entirely and earns our vote as an “Essential” in our collection.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, November 12th 2024
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