This has been the year for "Wonderful Christmastime". A song that a lot of people don't like, even though its McCartney. This is the year people are finally deconstructing the song and putting it back together in ways that make it fresh and funky. This version, clocking in at just 1 minute and 38 seconds, comes from RoadsArt, a Producer/Musician/Engineer from New Jersey. Download at Soundcloud. Give it a few seconds. Wait for it....
 See, the reason I'm actively trying to not post music that some of my Festive Friends are posting is because I want you to visit them as often as you visit here. More so, even. I love what these folks do. Be it Brigitte at Lie In The Sound, Jim at Christmas Underground, Guuz and friends at Christmas A-Go-Go, "Rudolph" (Francis) at Mistletunes or any of my other favorite holiday haunts, they've got unique tastes and insights and they each find plenty of stuff I would never find without them. It's not a "credit" thing; its about rewarding the effort. Trust me, there's a lot of effort involved. And there's plenty of stuff out there (and an infinite supply of ear destroying garbage) that we could all go our separate ways and never duplicate. Now, as Jim has pointed out, there's nothing inherently bad about overlap. Sometimes, its a very good thing. But I also think its cool that we push each other to dig deeper (I am never getting to bed before daylight again until after Christmas, am I?). All that said.....
There is just some stuff I need over here for my own head. And this find from Guuz over at Christmas A-Go-Go is one of them. Jazzy Funk and Deep Hip Hoppy Soul from Higher Hands, a Maryland group. "Christmas On Hudson St." has five tracks, including what I believe is the first cover of Sharon Jones' great "Ain't No Chimneys In The Projects". I love these dudes. And I don't think "I Saw Three Ships" has ever been so funked up. Dig it! An instant download at Bandcamp. It ain't always easy to find good Christmas Jazz that's also free. But there's, for sure, some out there. James Oakwood makes a lot of music in a lot of different styles, but I dig this Jazzy Bluesy Funky holiday groove from the Oak Man. "Minutes After Midnight" is all the more remarkable when you realize that that's all him, all the instruments and vocals. Ah, the marvels of modern technology. Technically, "Minutes After Midnight" was last year's James Oakwood Christmas single. This year's track is "Xmas Hamper", much more a Progressive Rock deal, but also plenty good. Its Christmas. So remember to feed your head. And James Oakwood's Christmas songs are a nice way to do that. "Minutes After Midnight" is free on Soundcloud. "Xmas Hamper" is free on ReverbNation.  The Mackenzie Rhythm Section is a soulful Canadian four piece. I gotta tell you, I love the keyboard player in this group. Just sayin'. Anyway, MRS are certainly capable of funking a lot harder when they're in the mood to. Seriously, check out their full-length, "The Big Break". I'm gonna have to buy that one. Good time soulful rock like this I ain't heard since the J. Geils Band called it a day. I keep waiting for a bad track to come up so I can get back to the Christmas music. So far, nothing but gold. Oh, yeah, I'm buying this. Anyway...
For the Christmas single, The Mackenzie Rhythm Section keeps it smooth, silky, and I'm sure somebody's tongue is in somebody's cheek. "The Twelve Sexy Days Of Christmas" is a unique take on the whole 12 days theme, conceptually, musically and lyrically. It's definitely worth the free download on Bandcamp. And, seriously, you've got to check out "The Big Break". It. Is. Just. So. Freakin'. AWESOME!  My favorite track found by Christmas A-Go-Go (so far) this season. The Bluebeaters are an Italian Reggae and Ska band formed in 1994. Their latest single, a One Drop cover of Britney Spears' "Toxic", is on the Record Kicks label--the same folks who brought us that dynamic Christmas delight from The Diplomats of Sound in 2010 (Christmas A-Go-Go found that one, too). It doesn't appear that "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" is on the vinyl 45 of "Toxic" (the postage would kill you anyway), but it is included in the digital single. Better still, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by The Bluebeaters is available as a stand alone free download. So Merry Christmas, everybody! It's a mover and a groover and a sprightly delight for any holiday occasion. Grab it while you can then dance your pants off (not literally, though). And take a few seconds to check out "Toxic" while you're over there. It's plenty awesome, too.
 "Green Christmas To Me?" is a Deep Funk groove from Javier Vazquez. For your average mix, it might be a bit long at seven and a half minutes. But, if you're trying to get that Christmas party moving and the dance floor full, a track like this could come in handy. There are lots of little touches and flourishes that I really like in "Green Christmas To Me?" And it not only bounces booty; its soulful, too. But you're probably going to love it or hate it and that's your call. If you find you love it (or like it just enough), you can download via Soundcloud free.  I've always said, if you have a good time singing it, the audience will have a good time listening. And these folks are clearly having a good time.
S.P.O.T.S. stands for "Some People On The Stage" and "Das Christkind Im Bikini" is another song I came across while exploring the Thomann XMas 2014 contest entries on YouTube. This one was actually recorded in 2012, so I guess S.P.O.T.S. was re-gifting. Ain't nothing wrong with that. I haven't got a clue what they're singing (though the visual gives you the gist), but it's a fun funky groove and you can get it free on Bandcamp.
I know our good friends at Christmas Underground covered this 2013 release thoroughly back in September, but I just stumbled across the Roxy Roca video and the news that they'll be releasing a 7" of "It Ain't Christmas Without You" backed with an all-new recording of "Back Door Santa" later this year.
"Noise To The World" was put out by the Converse people last year. It contains 7 tracks from 7 bands--from Funk to Punk--and it's all good. You can still download the set free via Soundcloud or direct from Converse. I'm particularly in love with Roxy Roca, right now. Yes, I feel the need to Funk it all up. Roxy Roca is an Austin based band and they make a righteous noise. Visit the band at their web home or on Facebook. |
The FREE ListHere we hope to direct you to some of the Christmas music on the web that can be yours absolutely free. We will not direct you to mp3 or sharity sites, here, but only to artist sites, label sites, and other authorized and unquestionably legal locations. Archives2010 FREE List Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
