#SoulfulSaturday: "This Is Christmas" [ALBUM] Luther Vandross
#SoulfulSaturday digs into a Classic Holiday album from a well-respected voice in #SOUL 🎄🎶!
#SoulfulSaturday pays homage to the first Christmas album from #Soul balladeer Luther Vandross. 23 years later, tracks are still heavily in Holiday rotation. Becoming a certified platinum release, the album received mainstream airplay across radios and households during the holiday season. An essential Holiday classic is upon us, here. Enjoy the #GFMChristmas fave.
#NewMusic: PC Muñoz - “Death Might Be Your Christmas Gift”
#Growns we wanted to put you up on a New Holiday Single from San Francisco iconoclast PC Muñoz whom we've featured here at GFM over the years - This inspired and thought-provoking composition is being offered as a Free Download.
From The Press Release...
San Francisco recording artist/producer PC Muñoz, whose past productions have placed on the Billboard, CMJ, and iTunes charts, is releasing his provocative new holiday single “Death Might Be Your Christmas Gift” as a free download.
“Death Might Be Your Christmas Gift” takes its title from the sermon of the same name by A.W. Nix, a recording originally issued as a 78 on Vocalion Records in 1927. Muñoz views the recording as a tribute to his time spent as a gospel drummer.
“When I was working as a gospel drummer, I was especially drawn to songs like ‘Hush (Somebody’s Calling My Name)’ and ‘It’s Gonna Rain’”, Muñoz says. “These songs are deep, heavy, grave…existential blues. I heard this sermon a while back and appreciated that A.W. Nix juxtaposed the ostensibly frivolous desire for gifts during the holidays…with this very stark consideration of mortality.”
The new holiday single is a unique collaboration with jazz producer Stephen Smith, whose past work includes the Blueprints of Jazz CD series featuring Headhunters drummer Mike Clark, Bay Area jazz legend Donald Bailey, and Philly jazz stalwart Billy Harper. A Harper tune, “Thoughts and Slow Actions”, is prominently sampled on the track; Muñoz and Harper were label mates on the Talking House label in the 00s.
The free download is available here:
https://pcmunoz.bandcamp.com/track/death-might-be-your-christmas-gift
PC will join award-winning cellist Alex Kelly for River: A Holiday Concert, at the Center for New Music in San Francisco on Saturday December 9:
http://centerfornewmusic.com/calendar/river-a-holiday-concert-with-alex-kelly-and-pc-munoz/
PC’s acclaimed holiday single, “The Angel Gabriel” featuring virtuoso vocalist Dave Worm (Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra, SoVoSo) is available here:
https://pcmunoz.bandcamp.com/track/the-angel-gabriel-feat-dave-worm
Bio
PC Muñoz is a recording artist, drummer, and producer based in San Francisco. His body of work includes recordings across multiple mediums, from GRAMMY®-nominated contemporary classical music to CMJ-charting funk songs and avant-garde compositions for theatre productions. His past projects include recordings with rock legend Jackson Browne, longtime Kronos Quartet cellist Joan Jeanrenaud, Dr. Fink of Prince and the Revolution, and countless other musicians and recording artists across a wide range of genres. His work has been praised by NPR, Performing Songwriter, DownBeat, the Wall Street Journal, and many others, and he is a current Board Governor for the SF Chapter of the Recording Academy. Learn more at pcmunoz.com.
Press and licensing contact: Ali Ruiz, stickandmuse@gmail.com
PC directly: pc@pcmunoz.com
Now Playing: Lindsey Webster: "It's Gonna Snow On Christmas"
Inspired by their favorite classic Christmas tunes, particularly Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song", jazz vocalist Lindsey Webster and her husband Keith Slattery put together a new Christmas tune that sounds familiar, warm and like an instant classic. Enjoy the jazzy "It's Gonna Snow On Christmas" from Lindsey Webster and let it put you in the holiday spirit.
#NowPlaying/'Tis The Season: Lindsey Webster: "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
Growns, just in time for the holidays Billboard #1 artist and rising young soul jazz singer/songwriter
Lindsey Webster offers her jazzy rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". Enjoy.
#TisTheSeason/NowPlaying: Alyson Williams: "Happy Holiday"
Alyson Williams has released her first Christmas single, "Happy Holiday", written by Williams and Herb Middleton and features acclaimed saxophonist Dean James. The song is also her first single in ten years.
About the song Williams says (from the press release):
“I’ve always wanted to do a Christmas album, but was never able to record it,” says Williams. “With all the acrimony, vitriol, and hateful messaging during this Election season, we decided to release a single for the holiday and follow-up with an album next year,” explains Williams.
She was inspired to write “Happy Holiday” on Election Night, Tuesday, November 8th. “After an extremely rough night of watching and waiting with the rest of the world, I realized that before I dozed off to sleep I had to compose a song,” says Williams. During that night, she heard the gentle voice of her mentor, Dr. Maya Angelou saying ‘Baby, use your words, find my words,’ which prompted her to use excerpts of Dr. Maya Angelou’s poem, ‘Amazing Peace’ in the spoken word portion of ‘Happy Holiday.’ “When I looked closely at the lyrics, I realized that I had written a song that had all of the makings of a modern day holiday classic.”
Williams goes on to say, “In a world full of turmoil and strife, true beauty will always find a way to rise above and show us a ray of hope,” Williams continues. “We must all spread love throughout this holiday season and beyond and continue to be inspired. What the world needs now is love, peace, and understanding. I feel doubly blessed to be able to see the creative process work in real time.”
Check it out.
MJ Mondays: Jackson 5 "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"
It's MJ Monday Y'all... the Christmas Edition.
'Tis the Season: HI-FIVE: "HI-FIVE Christmas"-- Proceeds to Benefit Toys for Tots
Check out "HI-FIVE Christmas" from the legendary 90's Pop/R&B Group HI-FIVE. What started out as a holiday song, “HI-FIVE Christmas" has turned into an amazing opportunity to bring holiday cheer into the lives of countless children as proceeds from the song will benefit TOYS FOR TOTS Foundation.
About the up-tempo charitable track, produced by Demetrius T"Bari Lee and Stephen S. Gladney and written by HI-FIVE member, Billy Covington, the group says,
"Christmas morning is one of the most exciting days of the year for children. There is nothing more fun and exciting than tearing off the wrapping paper and opening up packages of new toys. Unfortunately, for many children, that experience is only one they can dream of, as their families are unable to afford any additional expenses at this time of year. However, with your help, we can make that dream a reality for thousands of kids."
https://soundcloud.com/bronx-most-wanted-ent/hi-five-christmas/s-Fa6mL
ABOUT TOYS FOR TOTS
The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.
CONNECT WITH TOYS FOR TOTS
Website - www.ToysForTots.org
Events: ATL: Motown Christmas Concert: December 18 @ Impact Church
Atlanta: Come and be blessed by Motown Christmas
Featuring:
Tasha Cobbs
VaShawn Mitchell
Micah Stampley
Anita Wilson
Brian Courtney Wilson
also featuring Gene Moore
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Impact Church
2323 Sylvan Rd.
East Point, GA
Admission is free with the donation of a toiletry item, blanket or pillow which will go to the City of Refuge outreach.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
This event is sponsored by Motown Gospel and Radio One.
#TisTheSeason: Donny Hathaway - "This Christmas"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oswkllz_Lvs
One of the all time if I don't hear this it ain't Christmas tunes....
