Man, I'm so old I remember when Rhino was a unique independent record label featuring really cool stuff, either well-curated compilations or truly off-the-wall novelties. Over time it became just another imprint in the Warner Music catalogue for doing reissues and cheap compilations, but every once in a while they put out something that doesn't fit that mold, like this 2018 compilation of essentially unknown artists doing familiar Christmas songs. In this case, nearly every one is rendered in soft acoustic pop arrangements, some with synth pad drone backing and most without noticeable drumming, even "Little Drummer Boy" by Emily James. The effect is more adult contemporary than anything, but all these folks are good singers and their tunes are played well. Highlights include Sophie Simmons' "All I Want For Christmas Is You" in a slower tempo, Starling's "Winter Wonderland" featuring synth bass and electric piano, Dave Thomas Junior's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" in a slower, almost spacey style, "Little Saint Nick" by November Lights rendered in a 70s singer-songwriter arrangement, and the one outlier, a jumping band arrangement of "Merry Christmas Baby" by Alex Francis with actual drums. A good source of tunes offering your mixes a change of pace for the most part.
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