Reggae Christmas from Studio One (CD - 1992)

Reggae Christmas from Studio One is a rousing collection of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs done reggae-style. Tracks include "Christmas Time Is Here" by the Heptones, "Sound the Trumpet" by Bob Marley and the Wailers, "Christmas in Jamaica" by Brent Dowe, "White Christmas" by Dobby Dobson, and "Christmas Stylee" by Johnny Osbourne and the Family Group. Tennessee Brown and the Silvertones offer three cuts: "Little Drummer Boy," "Real Christmas Rock," and "Jingle Bells." A cheerful, entertaining holiday album. ~ Gina Boldman

The name Reggae Christmas may sound like an oxymoron to some listeners, for quite a few reggae singers embrace the Rastafarian faith, which differs from mainstream Christianity in many respects. You won't find too many people at the Southern Baptist Convention (or a Catholic mass) claiming that Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie was God incarnate or that smoking marijuana is a holy sacrament. But while many reggae artists are Rastafarians, reggae is hardly off limits to orthodox Christians, Jews and Muslims. And whatever faith the artists heard on Reggae Christmas may embrace, the fact is that this is a likable Christmas album. Released in late 1991, the CD ranges from hard-edged dancehall tunes like Tiger's "Tiger Claus," Charmaine's "Christmas a Pass" and Red Fox's "Christmas Fever" to the smooth, melodic, soul-minded singing of Frankie Paul ("Gee Whiz It's Christmas"), Trevor Sparks ("Christmas Time") and Anthony Malvo ("Reggae Christmas"). The album's most humorous track is Mikey Jarrett & Mikey General's amusing "Santa Claus Is Black," which insists that St. Nick grew up in the ghetto. Not an essential release, but generally enjoyable and fun. ~ Alex Henderson minimize