The Sounds Of Blackness legend Returns On Christmas In The City: Deluxe Edition Compilation
by contributing writer Michael P. Coleman
Arrow Records has released Christmas In The City: Deluxe Edition, a compilation of Christmas season favorites. First released in 2008, this deluxe edition includes two new bonus tracks featuring vocals by the incomparable Ann Nesby of Sounds Of Blackness fame, “Silver Bells” and “Holiday Love”.
The label wisely put the 2 time Grammy winner up front on this collection, starting the album with Nesby’s mid-tempo, contemporary “Holiday Love”. She settles into the groove perfectly, sounding Chaka-esque on that track and the subsequent, rock-influenced “Silver Bells”. That track also features Nesby’s labelmates Jeff Sparks, Canton Jones, and Shonlock. Lenny Kravitz would be proud.
“I was really excited to be given the opportunity to work with the younger artists on Arrow Records on this project,” the legendary Nesby exclusively told The Hub. “Having come from a large group like Sounds Of Blackness, I enjoy doing “family” projects where you have a little cushion on stage, singing with other artists. We showed the video to “Silver Bells” in church last Sunday, and afterward everyone just said “Wow! I’ve never heard that sound like THAT before!”. We tried to bring things current on this album.”
The album’s other highlights include the gorgeous “Christmas Means To Me” featuring Jonathan Phillips, a very credible cover of Donny Hathaway’s classic “This Christmas” featuring Billy “Mr. Jazz” Jones, an instrumental “Feliz Navidad” that will have you wanting to sing along, and an interpretation of “Christmas Time Is Here” from A Charlie Brown Christmas that beautifully closes the album. Overall, it’s a great compilation that offers something for everyone this holiday season. With the legendary Ann Nesby onboard on this deluxe edition, an already good holiday album has been elevated to “excellent” status.
“We are excited about the newest collection of popular Christmas songs,” says Taffi Dollar, CEO of Arrow Records and co-pastor of World Changers Church International. “It gives our label a chance to showcase some of our top talent. But more importantly, it allows us an opportunity to keep the name of Jesus Christ alive at a time when shopping and holiday parties too easily crowd out the reason for the season.”
Christmas In The City: Deluxe Edition is available for purchase here. Also, look for the winter 2014 issue of The Hub magazine and www.sacculturalhub.com for more of our EXCLUSIVE interview with Ann Nesby.
Email Michael P. Coleman at mikelsmindseye@me.com or follow him on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP
