Continuum – A Journey Through Jazz
Episode 36: Soulful & Funky Christmas
Merry Christmas (again)! Please permit me to aid in your Holiday celebration with this final installment of musical cheer appropriate to the season . . . and this time it’s soulful – and downright funky! If the other Christmas installments were too mellow, or you don’t care much for straight ahead jazz – this one is for you!
I’ve actually turned this show over to a guest host – a rather obnoxious elf named Aloysius who was seeking some diversion from too many nights in Santa’s workshop. So, he pulls out all the stops with some rare grooves that keep them dancing till dawn in the North Pole.
Aloysius starts the show with one of the most soulful Christmas songs of all time by Donny Hathaway, moving on to something from the Godfather himself – James Brown – and on to the old school soul of Groove Thangs and The Jive Turkeys. You’ll also hear some blues from Ella Fitzgerald, a dixie rag from Anita Baker, some Creole funk from Dr. John, several danceable Christmas grooves from Cool Million, Kurbis Blumen and Kirk Whalum, Gospel soul from Take 6 and Handel’s Messiah, as well as some rare Christmas jams from The Pointer Sisters, En Vogue and RonKat The Funklectik. I doubt you’ve ever rocked around the Christmas tree in quite this way before.
All in all, the elf did pretty good – but I would never suggest working with one. They aren’t as merry as they seem. Have a wonderful Holiday week! Pour yourself some hot cocoa, hop on Santa’s sleigh, and enjoy the ride!
Agape ya’ll & Merry Christmas.
J. Scott Fugate, ‘The Jazz Evangelist’
Continuum – A Journey Through Jazz
Episode 36: Soulful & Funky Christmas
Artist – Track – Album – Year
Donny Hathaway This Christmas A Donny Hathaway Collection 1970
James Brown Soulful Christmas A Soulful Christmas 1968
Groove Thangs Funky Christmas Download 1989
The Jive Turkeys Get Down Santa Single (45 Record) 2010
Ella Fitzgerald Good Morning Christmas Blues Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas 1960
Anita Baker Frosty’s Rag (Frosty The Snowman) Christmas Fantasy 2005
Dr. John Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant Jazz To The World 1995
Cool Million (feat. Lene Ribeau) Let The Christmas Spirit In Christmas at SedSoul 2010
Kurbis Blumen We Three Kings The Reindeer Room Vol. II – Christmas Chill 2003
Kirk Whalum The Little (Ghetto) Drummer Boy The Christmas Message 2001
Take 6 Oh He Is Christmas He Is Christmas 1991
Lizz Lee / Chris Willis / Mike E. Every Valley Shall Be Exalted Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration 1992
The Pointer Sisters Carol of the Bells Smooth & Soulful Christmas – Vol. 1 1996
En Vogue Funky Mellow Christmas Music Of Love For Tomorrow’s Children 2000
RonKat The Funklectik Joy To The Funk Joy To The Funk 2003
Background Music Provided By:
Ramsey Lewis Trio Christmas Blues Sound of Christmas 1961
Podcast: Download
