The Beachfront Property septet bundles up for the wintry chill with these dozen accompanied holiday classics, performed in elegant supper-club style. Members take turns soloing over chord voicings that lend themselves to comparison with the Singers Unlimited; the arrangements, (many written by Michele Weir, of Phil Mattson's P.M. Singers), can be tricky! "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," featuring the pitter-patter of reindeer feet and a presto descending motive, varies its rhythmic accents and tempo throughout. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" has a signature walking bass, setting a relaxed four in conjunction with the lyric. In short, Santa, prepare to swing with style!

Songlist: The Christmas Song"/"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Christmas Time is Here, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, O Come All Ye Faithful, Sleigh Ride, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Here Comes Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, God Rest Ye Merry Gentelmen, Away in a Manger, Silent Night, Wonderful Peace

This nine-member ensemble has selected fourteen wonderful songs for their debut CD (about half are accompanied) featuring arrangements from Joe Finetti,Phil Mattson, Michele Weir and Gene Puerling. The first track, "The Flintstones Theme," complete with Fred's "Wilma" holler, wins over the listener immediately; "Blackbird," sung a cappella, is rendered as a sort of jazz hymn, fleshing out the progression with counterpoint and extending the phrases. "Embraceable You" becomes three dimensional, it's so depthful. "You Go To My Head" has become something of a signature tune for Beachfront: the richness and texture of the Singers Unlimited, without encumbering the essence of the song with unnecessary ornamentation. Terrific.

Songlist: The Flintstones' Theme, Blackbird, Hurry On Down, Embraceable You, Born To Be Blue, You Go To My Head, Ring-A-Ding-Ding, It Had To Be You, You Made Me Love You, The Summer Knows, My Kind Of Girl, Sophisticated Lady, I Remember You, Wave

If you enjoy listening to jazz presented by enough voices to be a chorus when that embellishes the arrangement, sung by singers so accomplished that you can follow each individual voice through complex vocal intertwining, you will love Beachfront Property. This group of southern California studio singers alternate accompanied and unaccompanied tunes which become jazz standards after they are through with them if they weren't before. One notable original is Vince Guaraldi's " Linus & Lucy" adapted for voices by Stan Castonogia and the group.

Songlist: Straighten Up & Fly Right, Tenor Madness, Besame Mucho, Linus & Lucy, Angel Eyes, Stompin' At The Savoy, Icarus, Pick Yourself Up, I Saw Her Standing There, Midnight Sun