Kelly Finnigan’s ‘A Joyful Sound’ may seem bound by the season constraints of being a Christmas album but it goes far beyond, with the sound closer to his work with The Monophonics. The album features members of Durand Jones & The Indications, The Dap-Kings, Ghost Funk Orchestra, Monophonics, Thee Sinseers, Orgone, Ikebe Shakedown, Jason Joshua & The Beholders, The True Loves, Neal Francis, Jungle Fire, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Ben Pirani, The Jive Turkeys, The Ironsides, The Harlem Gospel Travelers, Rudy De Anda, Alanna Royale, and more! The set takes its inspiration from records like Atlantic’s “Soul Christmas”, Phil Spector’s “A Christmas Gift For You” and Rotary Connection’s “Peace” but there’s a timeless feel to the album that gives it a 365 days a year appeal. ‘Heartbreak At Christmas’ manages to feel festive while also being a great standalone soul cut, the swirling strings of ‘No Time To Be Sad’ is a classic low-rider mid tempo, the stop start just one kiss sounds like it was recorded in the same session as his Monophonics album while the sneaking R&B of ‘Santa’s Watching You’ pulls in elements of gospel. The superb album is another strong offering: check the broken hearted soul of ‘A Merry Christmas To You’ or the driving funk of ‘Just One Kiss’. Superb stuff yet again.
BUY CD here
BUY LP here
BUY white vinyl LP here
Listen
A Joyful Sound
Heartbreak For Christmas
No Time To Be Sad
Just One Kiss
Waiting On The Big Man
The Miracle Is Here
To Be Young At Christmas
The Only Present Is Me
Santa’s Watching You
Merry Christmas To You
A Joyful Sound (Reprise)
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