There are innumerable smooth jazz holiday compilations currently flooding the market, but this one has something special in store for aficionados of the genre. This
20th Century Masters edition of smooth jazz holiday favorites is assembled from three volumes of GRP Christmas favorites and Motown's smooth jazz Christmas album from the mid-'90s. The 11-song collection is a smooth blend of holiday favorites and contemporary standards rolled up with a twist of lime. A lineup of accomplished performers, including
Patti Austin,
Lee Ritenour,
David Benoit, and
the Yellowjackets are blended in with up-and-coming artists and other smooth jazz mainstays to deliver a soft, warm session that is polished in its production and sequenced in a pleasantly inoffensive manner. A nice alternative to run-of-the-mill traditional holiday compilations and a nice supplement to any smooth jazz collection. ~ Rob Theakston