Dave Koz: Ultimate Christmas (2011)

Ultimate Christmas is the fourth seasonal album from California smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz in his accomplished 21-year solo career. Longtime fans will probably already own at least one, or in some cases, even three, copies of the majority of material on offer, as other than the brief instrumentals that bookend its 18 tracks ("Welcoming Thee Season," "Welcoming the New Year"), every single number has previously appeared on either 1997's December Makes Me Feel This Way, 2001's A Smooth Jazz Christmas, or 2007's Memories of a Winter's Night. While this compilation, therefore, remains largely inessential for the audiences who flock to his annual Smooth Jazz Christmas tours, it's a perfectly serviceable introduction to his interpretive talents for those wanting an overview of his yuletide-themed output. Most of the classic Christmas standards you'd expect to hear make an appearance, from hymns including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Tannenbaum," to traditional favorites like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Christmas Song," to more contemporary tunes such as an impassioned bluesy rendition of Charles Brown's "Please Come Home for Christmas" (featuring guest vocals by American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke) and the album's sole original composition, the charming Parisian folk of "Eight Candles (A Song for Hanukkah)." The tasteful smooth jazz arrangements, on the whole, offer few surprises, but there are occasions when Koz and his impressive guest list of collaborators (including pianist David Benoit, guitarist Peter White, and trumpeter Rick Braun) bring something new to the table, such as the chilled R&B slow-jam treatment afforded to "White Christmas," the subtle flamenco guitars and bossa nova beats of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," and the campfire acoustics of "Sleigh Ride," while the highlight appears courtesy of "Silent Night," which bravely waits two minutes before its sparse fingerpicking guitar hooks are joined by Koz and the gorgeously soulful tones of singer/songwriter Brenda Russell. The fact that so much of Ultimate Christmas is already available limits its appeal, but it's still a charming body of work that establishes Koz's reputation as the master of festive smooth jazz. ~ Jon O'Brien

Tracklist:
01. Welcoming the Season (Prelude) - 1:14
02. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - 2:54
03. The Christmas Song (feat. Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun and Brenda Rusell) - 4:56
04. Sleigh Ride - 3:21
05. White Christmas (feat. Kelly Sweet) - 3:18
06. Winter Wonderland - 4:30
07. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (feat. Brian Culbertson) - 3:52
08. Little Drummer Boy (feat. Rick Braun, Peter White and David Benoit) - 4:22
09. Please Come Home For Christmas (feat. Kimberley Locke) - 3:44
10. Silver Bells - 3:50
11. Eight Candles (A Song For Hanukkah) - 3:34
12. Deck The Halls - 3:42
13. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (feat. Peter White) - 3:49
14. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) - 3:48
15. Silent Night (feat. Peter White, Rick Braun and Brenda Russell) - 4:32
16. I'll Be Home For Christmas - 4:10
17. Auld Lang Syne - 1:52
18. Welcoming the New Year (Coda) - 1:25
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Patti Austin: The Real Me (1988)

And how! Austin tackles standards such as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "They Can't Take That Away from Me," and succeeds brilliantly. Her version of Comden, Green, and Bernstein's "I Can Cook, Too" is enough by itself to make this a pick.

Personnel: Patti Austin (vocals, sound effects, background vocals); David Pack (vocals, guitar, congas, percussion, background vocals); Michael McDonald (vocals, piano, background vocals); Howard Hewett, James Ingram, Tata Vega (vocals, background vocals); David Lindley (guitar, slide guitar); Earl Klugh (guitar, classical guitar); Chuck Berghofer, Nathan Kaproff, James Getzoff, Dan Neufeld, Harris Goldman, Alan DeVeritch, Joy Lyle, Franklyn D'Antonio, Arthur Royval, Richard Elegino, Charles Veal, Vicki Sylvester, Barry Gold, Henry Ferber, Don McInnes, Hershel Wise, Sid Sharp, Harry Shlutz, Cynthia Morrow, Ray Kelley, Nils Oliver, Arnold Belnick, Jacqueline Brand, Bonnie Douglas, Arni Egilsson, Stephen Erdody, Gayle Levant, Daniel Rothmuller, Evan Wilson, Michael Markman (strings); Bruce Hornsby (accordion); John Rotella (clarinet); Dan Higgins (woodwinds, saxophone); Ernie Watts (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Greg Huckins, Michael Brecker (saxophone); Jon Faddis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gary Grant, Jerry Hey (trumpet); Bill Waltrous, Bill Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); Red Callender (tuba); David Benoit (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Richard Tee (piano, synthesizer); Greg Phillinganes (synthesizer, bass synthesizer); C. Roscoe Beck (upright bass); Burleigh Drummond (drums, snare drum, percussion); George Perilli (drums, percussion); John "J.R." Robinson , Jeff Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (shaker, percussion, sound effects); Luther Vandross, Amy Holland (background vocals)

Tracklist:

01. I Can Cook Too (5:14)
02. Stockholm Sweetnin' (1:37)
03. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (4:15)
04. True Love (3:49)
05. Across The Alley From The Alamo (3:47)
06. How Long Has This Been Going On (4:07)
07. Lazy Afternoon (5:46)
08. Love Letters (3:55)
09. They Can't Take That Away From Me (3:59)
10. Mood Indigo (3:26)
11. Cry Me A River (4:21)
12. Someone Is Standing Outside (3:59)
13. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most (5:08)
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Dave Koz & Friends: A Smooth Jazz Christmas (2001)

Cohesiveness is what separates this all-star Christmas release from the others. During the last four years, Dave Koz, vocalist Brenda Russell, pianist David Benoit, guitarist Peter White, and trumpeter Rick Braun have hit the road spreading holiday cheer among the smooth-jazz masses and their collaborative ease is palpable throughout these 14 tracks. Benoit is featured on "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," while Koz adds one of his best solos. Braun has the spotlight on "Little Drummer Boy," where Benoit shines too, and White highlights "Silent Night." All five players are credited for arrangements on most tracks, the craftiest of which is the '50's doo-wop of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," where you can almost hear the Drifters singing in the background. Russell also does a holiday version of her hit "Get Here," which is as powerful now as it was 10 years ago during the Gulf War. --Mark Ruffin

Tracklist:
01. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / Smooth Jazz Christmas Overture 08:32
02. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / The Christmas Song 04:55
03. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / O'Tannenbaum/Sleigh Ride Medley 04:04
04. Peter White / Silent Night 04:34
05. Dave Koz and David Benoit / Beneath The Moonlit Sky 03:04
06. Rick Braun / Little Drummer Boy 04:27
07. David Benoit / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 04:09
08. Kenny Loggins / December Makes Me Feel This Way 03:39
09. Brenda Russell / Boogie Woogie Santa Claus 03:19
10. Dave Koz and Peter White / Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 03:49
11. Brenda Russell, David Benoit and Dave Koz / White Christmas 03:22
12. Dave Koz / Eight Candles 03:36
13. Brenda Russell / Get Here 04:58
14. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / 'Twas The Night Before Christmas 03:57
Personnel:
Bill Sharpe - Bass
Brenda Russell - Vocals
Brian Kilgore - Percussion
Bridgette Bryant - Vocals (Background)
Dave Koz - Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Handclapping, Main Performer
David Benoit - Piano
Esterlee Nicholson - Vocals (Background)
John Hendrickson - Handclapping
Julian Raymond - Handclapping
Kenny Loggins - Vocals
Nick Lane - Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor)
Paula Salvatore - Handclapping
Peter White - Guitar (Acoustic), Accordion
Rick Braun - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Handclapping
Sandy Simmons - Vocals (Background)
Stephen Theard - Drums
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V.A.: GRP Christmas Collection Vol. 3 (1993)

GRP's third edition features key artists, e.g. Dave Grusin, David Benoit, Diane Schuur and Tom Scott, who have appeared on the previous volumes returning to render their interpretations of new Christmas material. GRP artists appearing for the first time on any holiday recording include Yellowjackets performing "Go Tell It on the Mountain," and B.B. King's joyful "Merry Christmas, Baby," and Billy Taylor swinging the traditional "Deck the Halls..." ”

Tracklist
1. Feliz Navidad - Tom Scott - 4:17
2. Merry Christmas Baby - B.B. King - 3:57
3. Hark The Herald Angels Sing - Ramsey Lewis - 4:25
4. O Little Town Of Bethlehem - David Benoit - 4:35
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Diane Schuur - 4:16
6. Go Tell It On The Mountain - Yellowjackets - 4:32
7. There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays - Sergio Salvatore - 5:32
8. Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming - Dave Grusin - 5:25
9. Joy To The World - Kim Pensyl - 2:32
10. Deck The Halls - Billy Taylor - 3:52
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Paul Brown & Friends: White Sand (2007)

One of the leading Contemporary Jazz guitarists/producers in the world, Paul Brown makes his stunning debut on Peak Records celebrating his intense musical foundation with an elite group of friends. These `friends" include Al Jarreau, Boney James, Bobby Caldwell, Lina, Euge Groove, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, Jesse J and David Benoit. Brown has been creating distinctive, "hummable" tracks for years for other artists and has a keen instinct for knowing what his fans want to hear. On "White Sands", his third album as a solo artist, he has created some immediately identifiable tracks which are destined to be come instant crowd pleasers. A two time Grammy award winner, Brown was also named the "most played" artist in the 2006 year end charts for Radio and Records with his #1 track, "Winelight".

Tracklist:

1. White Sand (Jessy J) 4:21

2. The Rhythm Method (Paul Brown) 4:00

3. Makes Me Feel So Good (Paul Brown) 4:06
4. Ol' Skoolin' (Paul Brown) 4:25
5. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Paul Brown) 4:18
6. R 'n' B Bump (David Benoit) 4:27
7. I Say A Little Prayer (Paul Brown) 3:37
8. More Or Less Paul (Paul Brown) 4:39
9. For What It's Worth (Paul Brown) 3:36
10. Mr. Cool (Rick Braun) 4:09
White Sand
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