1. Merry Merry Christmas (with Erin Stevenson) 2. The Christmas Song (with Kathryn Bostic, Jeff Ryan & Johnny Britt) 3. Last Christmas (with Ken Stacey) 4. Grownup Christmas List (with Clydene Jackson) 5. Snow Outside My Window (with Johnny Britt) 6. Holiday Wedding (with Johnny Britt) 7. Silent Night (with Erin Stevenson) 8. In a Holiday Mood 9. Jingle Bells 10. Christmas is Here (with Johnny Britt) 11. My Favorite Things (with Diana Tash) 12. Christmas Everyday |
But Nils is the real deal and I've been waiting to get some audio on this record to prove the point.
Nils Jiptner was born and raised in Germany. He began playing guitar in his teens, initially following the style of Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore. But he left Rock behind when he was turned on to Funk. He began listening to and emulating Nile Rogers, Al McKay and Paul Jackson Jr. That naturally led him to Fusion Jazz and he became a fan of artists like Larry Carlton and Jeff Lorber. Nils , now based in LA, has since established himself as one of the top hitmakers of the genre--as a songwriter, a producer, and as a performer. He's recorded with everyone from George Benson to The Temptations to Dave Koz. His 2005 hit "Pacific Coast Highway" was the Smooth Jazz Song (most played) of it's decade. His string of hits includes 2011's "Jump Start", which held down the #1 spot on Billboard's Smooth Jazz charts for 8 weeks and finished as the number one song of the year.
For "Christmas Everyday", Nils takes a fairly laid back approach and employs the services of several accomplished vocalists. It's almost a shame since he's so amazing when he's doing his Nils thing, as on "Straight Down The Line", one of his most recent hits. But even keeping things simple and sweet and sharing the spotlight with vocalists, Nils' guitar still sings. He's truly an artist. It's musicians like Nils that drew me to Smooth Jazz. That there are so many who aren't in his class is what (more or less) drove me away.
There are no pure instrumentals on "Christmas Everyday". The two songs where vocals are kept to a minor supporting role--"In A Holiday Mood" and "Jingle Bells"--are my favorites on the set. On "In A Holiday Mood", the vocals very effectively add to the warmth and nostalgia and the vocals on "Jingle Bells" are deep in the mix, barely noticeable, allowing Nils guitar to shine unadorned. But that's not to take anything away from the vocal soloists who provide a cozy soulful warmth of their own. Johnny Britt in particular is tremendous throughout. And Nils even takes on the singing role, himself, on the album's title and closing track, to very atmospheric and touching effect.
As a final verdict, "Christmas Everyday" well bridges the divide between the traditional and the modern and is eminently cuddle worthy. Share it next to the fireplace with someone you love this Christmas.