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'Carol of the Bells'
Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra (Owl Studios)
The Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra's blues version of "Silent Night" could earn it a spot in a jazz lover's holiday playlist the way Mannheim Steamroller's rendition made it a favorite with new-age fans. The orchestra's reading features the wonderful, Joe Williams-like voice of Everett Greene and a David-Sanborn-like alto sax solo by Mike Stricklin. The album features Greene on seven of its 12 tracks, and he is never disappointing. Neither are the offerings without him. The Buselli-Wallarab in the title refers to the names of two of the players in this Indianapolis-based orchestra, even if it sounds like some sort of mammal from New Zealand. The band is a good one and offers a swinging instrumental on "Jingle Bells" and a somewhat moody offering of the title song built around solid work from the reed section. The charts throughout the album are inventive and allow good solos, particularly from Stricklin and trumpeter Mike Hackett.
-- Bob Karlovits
'Trio West Plays Holiday Songs'
Trio West (Self-produced)
It can be difficult to be traditional and creative. Trio West proves that on their holiday album, "Trio West Plays Holiday Songs." The Manhattan-based band is extremely cautious in its offering of familiar songs, playing them well, but with little imagination. Pianist Eldad Zvulun, bassist Miles Brown and drummer Tobias T. Gebb are fine players, but they seem rooted in the expected in their versions of 11 holiday songs. The group even offers two takes of "Little Drummer Boy," but the alternate is simply fast, and not one does anything new, like putting it in an ethnic framework or odd meters. While it offers a thoughtful version of "Greensleeves," its "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is so full of musical cliches it sounds like something from a bad commercial. This is fine background jazz because it will do nothing but stay there.
-- Bob Karlovits
'Joy to the World'
Juan Carlos Quintero (Tenure)
'Guitarras de Navidad'
Luis Villegas (Tenure)
Guitarists Luis Villegas and Juan Carlos Quintero provide an ethnic choice on their two albums. Villegas puts a strong Mexican touch to his collection of Christmas carols. "Little Drummer Boy," for instance, is accented by Mexican rhythms and violin phrases that sink...