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Saxman Boney James follows his #1 Contemporary Jazz album Shine with a new collection of holiday chestnuts. His second seasonal album, Christmas Present arrives complete with album art of beautiful wrapping and pretty bow. Here’s a case where you can judge the gift by its wrapping; quite simply, this is great music to trim the tree by, filled with a warm, smooth, and soulful atmosphere throughout.

The 10 tracks on this 43-minute album open with an infectious instrumental featuring James’ lilting soprano sax on Vince Guaraldi’s “Skating.”  Phil Davis’ keys are delightful here and involve much improvisational interplay and harmony with the sax.  Filled with sweet melancholy, James’  rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “River” is faithful to the original.  Its presence on the album was a surprise because the mood it sets is so sad, but the performance sold me on its inclusion. After all, ‘tis the season which brings out a wide range of emotions.   The duet is so well done, with  Tim Carmon’s excellent playing, complementing perfectly James’ soaring, soprano sax. The album includes three more instrumentals done with a Boney James twist, “My Grown Up Christmas List ,”  “Auld Lang Syne,” and one of my favorites on the CD, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” 

Boney James’ saxophones are in superb voice.  This man can blow!  His gorgeous song treatments will remind you why he is one of the great stars of Contemporary Jazz.  He plays both tenor and soprano sax with beautiful tone, sprinkling in jazz improv while clearly maintaining melody. He’s backed by the top players in jazz today: Alex Al is on bass; Lenny Castro on percussion; Teddy Campbell and Dave Weckl share duty on drums; Tim Carmon, Phil Davis, Eric Daniels, and Darrell Smith take turns at the keys; Dean Parks and Tony Maiden play guitar.

An impressive “A” list guest lineup adds delicious flavors to the experience. Soul singer Chanté Moore is impishly luscious on the Eartha Kitt hit “Santa Baby;” Paul Jackson Jr. shows off his guitar expertise on the very hip rendition of “O Tannenbaum” and teams up on “The First Noel” which features the sensational flugelhorn of Rick Braun; Angie Stone’s sultry “Merry Christmas, Baby” adds some fun and R&B funk; and Anthony Hamilton infuses a bluesy gospel atmosphere on “Silent Night.”

Christmas Present highlights James’ superb playing, as well as his continued evolution as a multifaceted producer and arranger, tackling gritty funk to neo-soul, straight-up pop to straight-ahead jazz, and gospel to art rock.  Says James, “I’m really proud of the way everything came out.  Each track evolved as a unique soundscape.  Some songs wanted to be more funky, some more traditional, and some took a path that I couldn’t have envisioned.  Ultimately, even with some of the more profound deviations from the traditional versions, the songs retain their identity.  I really think it is a testament to why these songs are classics, and why their spirit shines through every year.”

This season, Boney James hands us this musical gift, rendered with thoughtful care, deep emotion, and pure delight.  Enjoy it during all your holiday festivities.  Just add eggnog and mistletoe, family and friends, along with all the holiday trimmings for a happy celebration.

- Anne Aufderheide

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