Soul Holiday Jams

Soul Holiday
The season for giving has dawned upon us once again -- and nothing gets us more in the holiday mood than some of our favorite yuletide tunes. This year, BlackVoices.com's very own Brennan Williams decided to mix things up a bit; with a look at some of the more soulful renditions of popular Christmas music. From Anita Baker's most recent CD offering to Luther Vandross' chart-topping gem, this list should definitely inspire aural pleasure. We also have Brian McKnight, The Stylistics and a few others who are not often celebrated in the mainstream. Check it out.


Getty Images / Motown / J Records

Song Title: 'Every Year, Every Christmas'
Artist: Luther Vandross
Year: 1995
Factoid: It appears Luther received an early Christmas gift in 1995. His eleventh album 'This Is Christmas' peaked at the number four slot on the Billboard's R&B / Hip-Hop charts.


J Records

Song Title: 'Christmas Time Is Here'
Artist: Brian McKnight
Year: 1998
Factoid: In addition to Brian McKnight, Charlie Brown and his peanut gallery made the song a holiday favorite among youngsters across the globe.


Motown

Song Title: 'Moonlight Sleighride'
Artist: Anita Baker
Year: 2005
Factoid: Although Anita Baker has an extensive catalog of crossover R&B hits, the Grammy Award-winner didn't release her first and only holiday album 'Christmas Fantasy' until 2005.


Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Song Title: 'Silent Night'
Artist: The Four Tops
Year: 1995
Factoid: Originally released in 1995, The Four Tops' 'Christmas Here With You' was repackaged as a '20th Century Masters: The Christmas Collection' release in 2005.


Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

Song Title: 'Remember Why (It's Christmas)'
Artist: Alexander O'Neal
Year: 1988
Factoid: In midst of topping the charts with hits from his 1986 opus 'Hearsay,' R&B crooner Alexander O'Neal managed to make people 'Remember Why' it was Christmas when he released 'My Gift to You' in 1988. The collection contained five tracks which were written by legendary production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.


Salifu Idriss, Redfern / Retna

Song Title: 'Let It Snow'
Artist: Boyz II Men
Year: 1993
Factoid: Co-written by fellow R&B singer Brain McKnight, 'Let It Snow' was the lead single from Boyz ll Men's 1993 Christmas album, 'Christmas Interpretations.'


Universal

Song Title: 'I'll Be Home For Christmas'
Artist: Al Green
Year: 1983
Factoid: In addition to 'I'll Be Home For Christmas,' other standards such as 'O Holy Night,' 'Winter Wonderland,' and 'Jingle Bells' were featured on Al Green's 1983 release entitled 'The Christmas Album.'


Clay Enos for AOL

Song Title: 'My Favorite Things'
Artist: John Coltrane
Year: 1961
Factoid: Originating as a show tune from the 1959 musical 'The Sound of Music,' 'My Favorite Things' has become a jazz standard among musicians. Although some may not consider the song to be a holiday classic, Coltrane's 14 minute version has been featured in holiday commercials for Hallmark.


Blue Note

Song Title: 'Little Drummer Girl'
Artist: Alicia Keys
Year: 1998
Factoid: Three years before the release of her debut album, 'Songs In A Minor' Alicia Keys appeared on Jermaine Dupri's holiday compilation '12 Soulful Nights of Christmas'. Keys recorded a modified version of the holiday classic 'Little Drummer Boy' simply titled 'Little Drummer Girl'.


Mark Shenley, Camera Press / Retna