Chicago's excellent Contemporary Christian sextet Chapter 6, who we have enjoyed on the stage at the Harmony Sweeps Finals, have a poised, strong, jazz-flavored CD in "Christmas time." 12 songs, notably the light, scatty "Sleigh Ride," a Chanticleer-like arrangement of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," a surprising scatty Manhattan Transferish arrangement of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," a rap-flavored "This Christmas," a blue-note "Away in a Manger," a jazzy, driving "Carol of the Bells," surprising, hip vocal percussion arrangements of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow," a moody "Gabriel's Message," a blue-note "The First Noel" and a stunningly jazzy "White Christmas." An unexpected, but impressive Christmas album for very talented Chapter 6. |
