Artist: Boney James Album: Boney's Funky Christmas

Year: 1996
Duration: 0:0-1

Boney James' Funky Christmas: A Critical Review

Music has always played an important role in celebrating the holiday season. With its joyful and uplifting melodies, tunes always liven up the Christmas spirit. Boney James, an American saxophonist, joined the ranks of artists who have released Christmas albums with his Boney’s Funky Christmas album. In this blog post, we will take a critical look at the album, discussing the artist's history, the music genre, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts and providing our critique.

Boney James is a four-time Grammy Award nominee known for his contemporary jazz and R&B sounds. The music artist, whose real name is James Oppenheim, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on September 1, 1961. James' early beginnings in music began when he started playing the saxophone in high school. Since then, he has released numerous albums, with Boney’s Funky Christmas being one of the most notable ones.

Boney’s Funky Christmas is a collection of Christmas jazz and funk songs that fuse tradition with Boney's signature sound. The album was released in 1996 by Warner Bros. Records and features ten tracks that will get anyone in the festive mood. Boney's music is more on the contemporary jazz side, but he does not shy away from throwing in the occasional funk twist.

The album kicks off with Jingle Bell Rock, a funky and groovy rendition of the classic song. The uptempo beat sets the tone for the rest of the album, with its upbeat and jazzy melodies. Another notable song is Jingle Bells, which features a lively sax solo sure to dazzle any jazz lover. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, on the other hand, has a more mellow vibe, with Boney's smooth saxophone complementing the gentle background music.

One of the innovative parts of the album is the inclusion of vocals in some tracks. While most Christmas jazz albums focus solely on instrumentals, Boney’s Funky Christmas mixes it up with vocal collaborations from artists such as Chanté Moore and Vanessa Williams. Their voices meld flawlessly with Boney's saxophone, making for a beautiful fusion of sound.

Critiquing the album, while the addition of vocals is a refreshing change, it can sometimes detract from the tracks' overall feel. Additionally, some tracks can feel too safe, not taking enough risks to make them stand out from other Christmas jazz albums. However, overall, Boney James' Boney’s Funky Christmas album is a delightful addition to the holiday season music library.

In conclusion, Boney James' Boney's Funky Christmas is a noteworthy album that expertly blends tradition with contemporary jazz and funk sounds. The inclusion of vocal collaborations elevates the album, making it stand out among other Christmas jazz records. While some tracks may not be as bold as others, the album, as a whole, is a fun and joyous addition to any listener's Christmas playlist. Boney James' unique sound and ability to blend jazz and funk elements make Boney’s Funky Christmas a must-listen, especially for lovers of contemporary jazz music.

In conclusion, Boney James' Boney's Funky Christmas is a noteworthy album that expertly blends tradition with contemporary jazz and funk sounds. The inclusion of vocal collaborations elevates the album, making it stand out among other Christmas jazz records. While some tracks may not be as bold as others, the album, as a whole, is a fun and joyous addition to any listener's Christmas playlist. Boney James' unique sound and ability to blend jazz and funk elements make Boney’s Funky Christmas a must-listen, especially for lovers of contemporary jazz music.