Sunday, December 17, 2006

Strange Manor - The Christmas Album (Vol. 1)!

A++


I've been obsessed with Christmas music this year. Which makes me sad to say that the G13 Christmas EP didn't happen. Oh well, maybe next year...

Anyhow, my brother Christian lent this CD to me last week and I was SO stoked. One of his Phenomenaut buddies gave it to him. It features members of the Aggrolites, Phenomenauts, the Struts, the Soul Captives and Go Jimmy Go. This is my #1 holiday pick this year. The bluebeat, rocksteady, northern soul, and straight up true to the classics of pop-Christmas yester year( c'mon, The Chipmunks!!) seriously satisfied just what I've been pining for this Christmas. Obviously not the most professionally recorded album but the musicianship and orchestration is still top notch. There is definitely a fun, family-type feel that comes through on this recording that makes me wish that I too lived at Strange Manor. Thanks guys and merry Christmas!

DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE ALBUM AT:
http://www.thesoulcaptives.com/strangemanor/

2 comments:

Brian said...

I've picked up a whole bunch of Reggae Christmas compilations, and to tell you the truth, they've been more or less, crap.

And while this wasn't a strictly ska/reggae collection of songs, this was such a great recording of Christmas tunes. I can't stop listening to it!

What was your favorite track?

Parka AKA said...

I did the same thing. For example, the Yellowman Christmas album was such a let down! I thought it would rule because of the clever album cover, but SERIOUSLY,"we wish you a reggae Christmas and a...reggae new year?" C'mon! More evidence that ganja wasn't really good for Jamaican music.

I super dig the Booker T style. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" but I'd have to say that the upsetttery "Sleigh Ride" is my favorite. But really it's all about the whole album. It's so well rounded!

Good call on the "gypsy jazz" reference you put on your blog. I noticed that Djangoness too!