A really fantastic record from Jamie Cullum – a great singer on his own, but one whose voice is especially well-tuned to Holiday material like this! The set's one of those once in a blue moon Christmas records – not a batch of overdone standards, but instead all new material by the man himself – really fresh tunes that not only open up our December listening, but which also ensure that the record will be a Christmas classic in years to come! The backings are great – jazzy, but with the warmth of a fire after a Holiday dinner – and we might actually say that the whole thing has Jamie finding a focus for his talents that hasn't been this strong in years. Titles include "The Jolly Fat Man", "Hang Your Lights", "It's Christmas", "Turn On The Lights", "Christmas Caught Me Crying", "The Pianoman At Christmas", and "So Many Santas". (Holiday Music, Vocalists) CD

Gregory Porter arrives on Blue Note Records – and the result is Porter's most fully-formed set so far – just the kind of album that will push him firmly into the limelight – a place that we've felt he's deserved for quite a few years! Porter's a hell of a singer, and a hell of a songwriter too – and although his roots are in jazz, he's got a rare ability to step between genres with plenty of soul – a special space that belongs to a very rare few – like Nina Simone, Bill Withers, Roberta Flack, or Gil Scott-Heron! Gregory's voice is amazing, his lyrics are both personal and pointed – and he does so much here with so little, the album should be handed out to the hundreds of mis-directed vocalists who think that a few extra tweaks in the studio is all they really need. Most numbers just feature small combo backing, with wonderfully warm piano from Chip Crawford – and the whole thing's got a timeless feel that makes us think this is the beginning of a rich new season for Porter. Titles include "Free", "Water Under Bridges", "Lonesome Lover", "Liquid Spirit", "No Love Dying", "Brown Grass", "When Love Was King", and "Wind Song". This great 3LP deluxe version features special guest bonus tracks on the fifth side – Water Under The Bridge" with Laura Mvula, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" with Jamie Cullum and "Grandma's Hands" with Ben L'Oncle Soul – plus Rainer & Grimm, Claptone, 20syl, St Germain and Knuckle G remixes on the sixth side! LP, Vinyl record album