::ALBUM REVIEW::

Patti LaBelle is one of those artists that you just have to appreciate. For her workmanship and dedication to putting out music consistent to her heritage, She was recently honored during the 2007 World Music Awards for her contributions to the R&B music genre. With four amazing decades of music behind her, multiple gold-certified albums and a recent #1 gospel album project (The Gospel According To Patti LaBelle) now in her repertoire - a dream come true for her die-hard fans, the soulful LaBelle launches forward even still with new ventures and momentum proving her endurable staying power in the spotlight. The latest includes her re-signing with Def Jam and the holiday release of Miss Patti’s Christmas; a cool R&B-pampered holiday album that exposes once again her faith in the newborn child on record while riding through a list of favorite Christmas classics. Produced by the professional crew of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the album glistens with its affectionate original compositions and easy-listening arrangements. Even though the music background is expected to meet the grounds of satisfaction - especially looking at Flyte Tyme’s track record - this is clearly a Patti LaBelle event and she never falls short of delivering what most expect from her. Distinctive high-octave belting, strong vocals and passionate deliveries are all executed here by LaBelle’s performances and match the incredible direction of Jam & Lewis’ skillful production.

While marketed exclusively for R&B audiences, the myriad of gospel songs captured here are highly noticeable. “Christmas Jam”, guided by a zesty contemporary groove and sweet background support, is definitely the right way to open such an album and speaks of the feel-good nature of the holiday season and even recalls the “real reason of the season.” “Nativity”, another groundbreaking original, is guided by hot hip-hop drum programming, heavy bass action and striking synths. The neat fresh sounds may have been perfect for any set of lyrics for any time of the year, but was instead used to tell the Bethlehem story of that first and blessed Christmas morn. Pastor Michael Martin’s reading of very familiar and relevant scriptures support the spirituality of this urban-laced cut. The Soul Seekers join with LaBelle on a moving Memphis soul arrangement of the gospel classic “Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child.” On the vamp, the groove extends out with a new lyrical tag. Hearing the background harmonies of the Soul Seekers singing repetitively “oh Jesus, sweet Jesus” in choir form adds a favorable disposition to the annual gospel carol. “Away In A Manger” is a smooth “jazz-meets-classic R&B” containing a slick, light brushing on the drums, jazzy piano from Big Jim Wright and a mostly tranquil LaBelle giving vocal depth to the classic carol. Towards the end, LaBelle shows forth her praises with a robust set of singers on the added-in vamp.

Not all on this offering is loaded with Jesus content, as Labelle rounds up a well-balanced Christmas album with a set of all-time holiday classics. “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is an enjoyable rendition and leans on its laid back tempo change; gliding on Natural’s sweet acoustic guitar plunks and warm background support from Lauren Evans. “The Emotions’ “What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas” doesn’t get a complete make over, but is satisfying from beginning to end. The biggest addition to the cut is the closing minutes featuring LaBelle warming up on ad-libs while the background singers serenade the melody with short phrases. Of course, it’s hard to match the raw energy of the original version, but LaBelle comes very close in pulling off a newer version of the soul classic. On the Harris/Lewis original “Holidays Mean More To Me”, the beauty of Suzie Katayana’s string arrangements are appropriately inserted and showcase a different dimension to their usual urban R&B standards as it flows on a cozy, jazzy-arranged performance. Count this song one of the truest recent models of a possible Christmas classic. In a tribute to the late Luther Vandross, she revisits the modern R&B favorite “Every Day, Every Christmas.” The only complaint and most critical moment of observation here is the awkward back-and-forth key changes on the closing verse.

No doubt, Miss Patti’s Christmas showcases one of the better holiday releases in the R&B world. While holiday albums lately have proving to be irritable for having just too much campy material and/or not enough Christmas magic. The delightfulness of this album rests in Jam/Lewis’ wise placement of songs on LaBelle’s treasured emotionally-delivered vocals and the originals are far from being uninspired. Even though its major drawback is its short-lived running time, Miss Patti’s Christmas is easy-listening from start to finish and will certainly appeal to her strong, dedicated fan base of R&B lovers as well as her newly converted gospel audience.