Bluebeat Holiday, Jesse Wagner, Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra (Nu-Tone)

This year's second holiday offering from the record label that brought us the new Joel Paterson is this collection of traditional holiday songs rendered in that early 60s Jamaican musical style. And I mean that in the most precise way possible; there's nothing on here that will remind you of any late 70s English bands like the Specials or Selecter, and certainly not any 90s skate-punk iteration of the style, either. The one departure here is Jesse himself, who croons over this excellent time-specific musical backing in the way that 50s and 60s lounge singers would have if they were aware of ska in those days. "Christmas Alphabet" is probably the most obscure tune on here; they also do "Jingle Bells," "Christmas Island," "Christmas Song (Chestnuts)," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Let It Snow," "Happy Christmas," "Merry Christmas," and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." Oh and for maximum cultural dissonance, they also do "Dominick the Donkey." A little sedate for my taste, but if you spent your commute listening to the local Christmas-only radio station, you'll find this a welcome respite.