Man, I'm slipping. Didn't even see this one 'til somebody at The Fa pointed it out.
The actual record has better sound than that, but it's the only vid on YouTube right now.
Some of the best Christmas records are also some of the most obscure. It stands to reason. Lots of people making lots of music and no major label to put their weight behind it. There are bound to be gems that get lost. We've been fortunate in recent years to have seen some great Soul & R&B rescued by the likes of Tramp Records through their "Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party" albums. But there's still rescue work to be done.
Back in 1981, a Funk and Soul artist by the name of Joseph dropped some holiday cheer on the S&P Music label. You remember that one, right? No? Of course you don't. These days, we've got the Internet to connect us all to just about anything. In 1981, not so much. So the record may have gotten some regional play, but not much more than that. Over the years, though, the album developed a following. Northern Soul DJs, Southern Soul DJs, overseas DJs, and, lest we forget, Christmas music obsessives started to get hip. In particular, the song "Shopping" (above) became a bit of a seasonal fave. It's not my favorite track on the record but whatever.
The artist's full name is Joseph Washington, Jr. The album is "Merry Christmas To You...From Joseph". Original copies don't turn up too often and, when they do, generally run around $75 (as low as $40 and as high as $120, depending on condition).
Cut to today and there is apparently enough demand for Numero to issue a limited vinyl pressing of "Merry Christmas To You...From Joseph". There will be precisely 1000 copies, each and every one pressed on Candy Cane color vinyl. From Numero's advance press on this, it's just vinyl--no CD, no MP3. Now, who knows what they may decide to do later on. But, right now, just vinyl. And, as Numero has done vinyl only re-issues in the past, I'd say grab the vinyl now and then whatever happens happens, right? The album officially drops December 2. If you'd like to hear samples of all the tracks, Numero can hook you up. My favorites? I'm partial to "Jesus' Birthday" and "Merry Christmas", but its all good.
Some of the best Christmas records are also some of the most obscure. It stands to reason. Lots of people making lots of music and no major label to put their weight behind it. There are bound to be gems that get lost. We've been fortunate in recent years to have seen some great Soul & R&B rescued by the likes of Tramp Records through their "Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party" albums. But there's still rescue work to be done.
Back in 1981, a Funk and Soul artist by the name of Joseph dropped some holiday cheer on the S&P Music label. You remember that one, right? No? Of course you don't. These days, we've got the Internet to connect us all to just about anything. In 1981, not so much. So the record may have gotten some regional play, but not much more than that. Over the years, though, the album developed a following. Northern Soul DJs, Southern Soul DJs, overseas DJs, and, lest we forget, Christmas music obsessives started to get hip. In particular, the song "Shopping" (above) became a bit of a seasonal fave. It's not my favorite track on the record but whatever.
The artist's full name is Joseph Washington, Jr. The album is "Merry Christmas To You...From Joseph". Original copies don't turn up too often and, when they do, generally run around $75 (as low as $40 and as high as $120, depending on condition).
Cut to today and there is apparently enough demand for Numero to issue a limited vinyl pressing of "Merry Christmas To You...From Joseph". There will be precisely 1000 copies, each and every one pressed on Candy Cane color vinyl. From Numero's advance press on this, it's just vinyl--no CD, no MP3. Now, who knows what they may decide to do later on. But, right now, just vinyl. And, as Numero has done vinyl only re-issues in the past, I'd say grab the vinyl now and then whatever happens happens, right? The album officially drops December 2. If you'd like to hear samples of all the tracks, Numero can hook you up. My favorites? I'm partial to "Jesus' Birthday" and "Merry Christmas", but its all good.
 | SIDE A 1. Let Me Hang My Mistletoe 2. Jesus’ Birthday 3. Rudolph 4. Merry Christmas SIDE B 5. Sharing Christmas With You 6. Snowing In The East On Christmas 7. Whatcha Gonna Bring Me 8. Shopping 9. New Year NUMERO WEB SITE PURCHASE FROM AMAZON PURCHASE FROM BULLMOOSE |
1. Winter Wonderland - Ka'au Crater Boys
2. Mele Kalikimaka Ia `Oe - Sean Na'auao
3. Santa's Hula - Robi Kahakalau
4. Mele Kalikimaka - Jingle Bells - Troy Fernandez
5. Silent Night - Po La `Ie - Ben Vegas
6. Little Drummer Boy - Ernie Cruz, Jr.
7. Where's the Snow - Ho'onu'a
8. Deck the Halls - Abe Lagrimas, Jr.
9. Hawaiian Santa - Gordon Freitas
10. Here Comes Santa in a Red Canoe - Rodney Bejer
11. O Holy Night - Herb Ohta Jr.
12. What Child is This - Ke Keiki Ali`i - Kawika Kahiapo
13. Christmas Island Medley - Aloha Delire
14. Holiday Hula - Kalei Gamiao
15. Mele Kalikimaka - Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Entertainers NEOS PRODUCTIONS WEB SITE
16. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Robert & Tiera Kekaula PURCHASE FROM AMAZON
PURCHASE FROM MELE.COM
2. Mele Kalikimaka Ia `Oe - Sean Na'auao
3. Santa's Hula - Robi Kahakalau
4. Mele Kalikimaka - Jingle Bells - Troy Fernandez
5. Silent Night - Po La `Ie - Ben Vegas
6. Little Drummer Boy - Ernie Cruz, Jr.
7. Where's the Snow - Ho'onu'a
8. Deck the Halls - Abe Lagrimas, Jr.
9. Hawaiian Santa - Gordon Freitas
10. Here Comes Santa in a Red Canoe - Rodney Bejer
11. O Holy Night - Herb Ohta Jr.
12. What Child is This - Ke Keiki Ali`i - Kawika Kahiapo
13. Christmas Island Medley - Aloha Delire
14. Holiday Hula - Kalei Gamiao
15. Mele Kalikimaka - Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Entertainers NEOS PRODUCTIONS WEB SITE
16. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Robert & Tiera Kekaula PURCHASE FROM AMAZON
PURCHASE FROM MELE.COM
I've got a thing for Hawaiian Christmas music. Well, actually, I've got a thing for any Hawaiian music. It's like that soft easy breeze that gently blows over you when you're sunbathing. It's just.........Ahhhhhhhhh. Stress? What's that? We don't need no stinking stress. And here comes that bree......Ahhhhhhhhh. I could just lay here forever. Oh, this is just so.....rela--Ahhhhhhhhhh. Relaxing. You go on ahead. I'll catch up.
Still with me? Big big fan of Willie K, Na Leo, Sean Na'auao and others. Only the last of those 3 turns up on the latest in Island Christmas accessories--"Mele Kalikimaka: Island Style Christmas". Neos productions is one of the larger labels offering authentic Hawaiian music. In recent years, they've taken a special interest in issuing Hawaiian Christmas music, God bless 'em. This particular comp contains some music that they've previously released. They might all have been previously released as I did kinda lose track of Hawaiian Christmas music for a few years. But I recognize the songs from Sean Na'auao, Robi Kahakalau, and Kalei Gamiao. Pretty sure I've heard Herb Ohta Jr.'s "O Holy Night" before, too. But my guess is that you don't already have much of the music here. I don't and I'm usually crazy for Hawaiian Christmas tune-age. And lucky for all of us, the album turns up in the nick of time. "Mele Kalikimaka: Island Style Christmas" releases today! And, after the week I had and probably the week you had, we sure could u--Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Use it.
It's not on this collection, but the collection did remind me of the fine 2013 Christmas set from Kalei Gamiao, "Merry Ukulele Christmas". So I'm closing with this one. Cuz it's cool and I dig it. Maha--ahhhhhhh--lo.
Still with me? Big big fan of Willie K, Na Leo, Sean Na'auao and others. Only the last of those 3 turns up on the latest in Island Christmas accessories--"Mele Kalikimaka: Island Style Christmas". Neos productions is one of the larger labels offering authentic Hawaiian music. In recent years, they've taken a special interest in issuing Hawaiian Christmas music, God bless 'em. This particular comp contains some music that they've previously released. They might all have been previously released as I did kinda lose track of Hawaiian Christmas music for a few years. But I recognize the songs from Sean Na'auao, Robi Kahakalau, and Kalei Gamiao. Pretty sure I've heard Herb Ohta Jr.'s "O Holy Night" before, too. But my guess is that you don't already have much of the music here. I don't and I'm usually crazy for Hawaiian Christmas tune-age. And lucky for all of us, the album turns up in the nick of time. "Mele Kalikimaka: Island Style Christmas" releases today! And, after the week I had and probably the week you had, we sure could u--Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Use it.
It's not on this collection, but the collection did remind me of the fine 2013 Christmas set from Kalei Gamiao, "Merry Ukulele Christmas". So I'm closing with this one. Cuz it's cool and I dig it. Maha--ahhhhhhh--lo.
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