Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Todd Collins is one of Nashville's top producers so his name on the sleeve together with co-producer Eric Lautenbach gave this reviewer a certain level of expectation not normally associated with a track listing which offers all the Yuletide suspects ("Away In A Manger", "First Noel", "Angels We Have Heard On High", "Silent Night"). What gives this re-issue its fairly high square rating is the arrangements, where jazz guitar and wistful synth washes blend in a mellow late night groove. Vocals are limited to some back-in-the-mix aahs and oohs. All in all, classy instrumentals which neatly avoid being either Christmas corn or music for elevators.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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