…..Did I already mention that Brother Anthony’s vocals are the truth? Well, they are: he doesn’t recite the material as if he’s sending a text, the man slays it, knowing just when to pour on or pull back (if you can’t place his voice, think Bill Withers with a slight sand-papery edge/twang). The first two songs are brimming with infectious cheer: “Spend Christmas With You,” featuring glib harmonies injected by his vocalists The HamilTones, channels the exuberance of Stevie Wonder’s “What Christmas Means To Me” and is one of the five new tracks he co-wrote. The title song is also an unexpected treat, a mellow folksy duet with pop’s Gavin DeGraw that emphasizes presence over presents on Christmas Day.

Even the traditional or familiar songs get pleasantly re-imagined: “Little Drummer Boy” and “Away In A Manger,” respectively, have somber intros and then burst into spirited send-ups that make them feel new all over again. He covers James Brown’s signature song (please click here for the full CD review at knowshi.com)