Dave Stryker - Eight Track Christmas (2019)

A great holiday set that I've been recommending to people for over a month now (typical response to such a recommendation: "Dude...that is tasty"). Jazz guitarist Dave Stryker and his Eight Track band (vibraphonist Stefon Harris, organist Jared Gold, drummer McClenty Hunter) groove through 10 holiday classics - 6 from the 20th century plus 4 more traditional hymns/carols - and it's a keeper. As much soul/funk-lite as it is jazz, I love the colors the quartet is able to get, especially the way the Memphis-styled organ lyrics pair with the clean guitar tone and vibes. 

I've just recently discovered that there are three other "Eight Track" albums available. Also, Stryker opened up for Steely Dan on some northeastern shows in the summer 2022, so there's definitely more to check out. Watch this space. Or, go over to bandcamp and buy some of his stuff. Or, better yet, do both.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: As mentioned in the review above, the clear winner is track 5, Soulful Frosty, which wonderfully interpolates Frosty The Snowman with Soulful Strut. My other top picks are This Christmas, the slow, syncopated God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Guaraldi's Christmas Time Is Here. The songs Blue Christmas and Happy Xmas (War Is Over) have never done much for me, but I like even those tracks in their understated settings. For the final track, a Killer Joe-styled take on O Tannenbaum, the group brings in a bonus vibraphonist, Steve Nelson, and you wouldn't think that two vibraphone solos were needed, but you'd be wrong. If a little bit is good, more is better right? This group's putting out some strong Christmas vibes! (Sorry, I simply couldn't help myself. Merry Christmas from CDP!)

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: none