Soulful Sounds of Christmas
The Soulful Sounds of Christmasis a solid collection, mostly of '90s urban contemporary pop from the likes of chart-toppersWhitney Houston,En Vogue,Yolanda Adams,Dru Hill,New Edition,Babyface,Take 6, andUsher. There's plenty of party jams, plus a stunning a cappella turn from Take 6 on "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" and the prototype rap ofRun-D.M.C.'s classic "Christmas in Hollis." Add the indefatigableBeBe & CeCe Winanson "Silent Night" and the gospel-powered verve ofKirk Franklin & the Familyon his reverberating spiritual "Now Behold the Lamb" and you've got a holiday disc that both goes to church and decks the halls without missing a beat or amen.--Martin Keller