There's a long-running compilation going back to the vinyl age with this title, but don't confuse it with this 2014 collection, which is comprised of music from the label's current roster (except for a bonus track of the Temptations' "Silent Night"). Kevin Ross kicks things off with "It's Christmas Time," a nice midtempo song that effortlessly blends modern rhythms with the signature old-school Motown orchestral backing sound. Brian Courtney Wilson does the near-obligatory cover of Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas," and Anita Wilson medleys "Go Tell It On the Mountain" with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Kem reprises "Bethlehem" from his own Christmas album, as does Babyface with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Chrisette Michele slow-jams "Angels We Have Heard on High," and Tye Tribbett emphasizes bass and strings over drums on "Little Drummer Boy." Tasha Cobbs brings a bit of updated doo-wop into "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)" and goes all Broadway musical on "O Come All Ye Faithful." Vashawn Mitchell brings a bit of bombast to "Silent Night," Smokie Norful does a dramatic reading of "O Holy Night" and India.Arie duets with Gene Moore Jr. on a similarly dramatic "Mary Did You Know." Two orchestral instrumental interludes round out the album. While a lot of us have expectations of the old days when the word "Motown" is used in a musical context that may not be satisfied with this album, fans of modern r'nb will likely be more than happy with what they hear in this collection.
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