This unassuming recording is not just another Jazz Christmas album. This is a critical collection of historical early jazz tunes about the Christmas holidays in the black community. It starts with the classic Christmas Night In Harlem by Louis Armstrong and The All Stars, from 1955. The legend himself sings about "the greatest community in the world..." Harlem in the 1930's, and the hits keep coming. Hip Santa by Jimmy McGriff showcases McGriff's stunning Hammond B-3 organ chops and bluesy "fatback groove." The rest of the album is equally stunning, with Christmas songs by Duke Ellington, Dick Wellstood, incredible vocals by Anita Moore, Frank Sinatra's It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Louis Armstrong again with Winter Wonderland. But the last three songs take this collection to the stratosphere. Fats Waller's Swinging' Them Jingle Bells (1941) is a great song that should live on in the annals of great Christmas songs. Be-Bop Santa Claus by Babs Gonzales is so cool that I am sure the beat poets must have dug it around the fireplace at Christmas. And what can I say about Dick Hyman's A Child Is Born (Medley)? All I can say is Listen and Enjoy. "Can't wait till Santa comes Be-Boppin' down the chimney!"