Compilation producer: Alan Leeds.

Recorded at King Studios, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Recorded at King Studios, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Personnel: The Charmaines (background vocals).

Audio Remasterer: Ellen Fitton.

Recording information: King Studios, Cincinnati, OH.

Arrangers: Nat Jones; Pee Wee Ellis.

One doesn't generally associate the Godfather of Soul with Christmas music, but in fact, James Brown recorded a fair amount of yuletide offerings. This collection of seasonal soul draws its selections mainly from 1968's SOULFUL CHRISTMAS and 1966's JAMES BROWN AND HIS FAMOUS FLAMES SING CHRISTMAS SONGS. This is no schmaltzy holiday fare, though. Though Brown takes a turn at the venerated "Christmas Song," most of the tunes here are original compositions that bear his unmistakable mark. "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto" (one of Brown's many contenders for best song title of all time) injects a socially conscious message into the proceedings. The blues track "Merry Christmas Baby" turns out to be a natural for Brown, who does his best slow burn on the tune. The lengthy "Let's Make Christmas Mean Something This Year" is a tour de force that features a spoken message from Brown, who revels in the joys of Christmas and urges his listeners to put some genuine thought and emotion into their holiday rituals.