Christmas Reggae Rock, Carlene Davis (VP Records)

Another Sly & Robbie-backed production from around 1993, Carlene is a veteran singer who began combining her reggae with gospel around 1995. This is actually her first Christmas album, and not surprisingly, it sounds a lot like the other Sly & Robbie Christmas performances we have heard here. Like many reggae holiday albums, this features the big medley, this one called "Bright Christmas" that includes "Mary's Boy Child," "Joy to the World," "O Holy Night," "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and "Wish You a Merry Christmas." She kicks off with a smooth "Little Drummer Boy" and reggaes up "Silent Night" nicely. She does a song called "Give Love on Christmas Day" that I can't track down; it's not the Jackson Five number. Carlene's second Christmas album is Christmas Everyday from 2002, also on VP, with what looks like a totally original lineup more in keeping with her current direction. Songs include "Send the Soldiers Home," "A Cradle in Bethlehem," "Fi Me Jesus" and the title song. That one appears to be out of print, however.