New Releases Spotlight: Week of December 15, 2014

This week in the Music Lounge, we profile three holiday discs that we’re playing on WDCB over the next couple of weeks…

Radam Schwartz - Swingin’ the Holidays
First off, Radam Schwartz’s Swingin’ the Holidays is a grooving example of what a seasonal disc can be.  Swingin’ is the operative word here, as a lot of this disc is up-tempo and burning.  "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" gets a treatment similar to Jimmy Smith’s, but the real revelation here is the take on "My Favorite Things."  Usually, anyone playing that song immediately starts thinking of Coltrane’s iconic take, but Schwartz plays it as a scorching, funky jam in 4/4 time that is genuinely impressive.  You’ll  be hearing a lot from this CD.

Marilyn Scott - Get Christmas Started!
Marilyn Scott holiday release Get Christmas Started is a bit more R&B in its approach than we might usually play during the day, but gives us the opportunity to play some genuine Christmas classics that jazz artists haven’t previously done, including "This Christmas" from Donny Hathaway, "What Christmas Means to Me" by Stevie Wonder, and "Slippin’ Into Christmas" and "Christmas in Chicago"  – as couple from Leon Russell.  If you’re not hip to these tunes, you’re in for a real treat when they come on the radio.

Renée Fleming - Christmas in New York
Finally, Renée Fleming has released Christmas in New York. Yes, that Renee Fleming, better-known as an opera (soprano) singer.  Her new disc, features Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling and Gregory Porter of a handful of cuts, and we’re focusing on those.  Check out her duets on "Central Park Serenade" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" with Gregory Porter, and Kurt Elling’s gorgeous work on "Snowbound."   We think you’ll like what you’re going to hear.
 

May your holidays be filled with warmth and love.   This New Releases feature will be back in the new year!