Well hello everyone. I must say you are looking resplendent today, though I'm not sure about what you've done to your hair :D No, I'm just teasing, you look lovely obviously. Anyway, it is December 1st, I have my 3 advent calendars set up and it is now officially the start of the most wonderful time of the year. And what better way to celebrate than to dive into an EP of deliciously addictive seasonal tunes for your house and tree decorating soundtrack...
ARMAND DELUXE ~ IN THE MAGIC WE TRUST (CHRISTMAS EP 2011):
As if his 2010 Christmas EP (ecoutez here, s'il vous plait) wasn't enough, Mr Deluxe is back with enough jingle bell magic to power Santa's sleigh. There are 3 brazenly amazing new tunes as well as a bit of a retwiddle of my very favourite track from the 2010 'affair'. It all kicks off with the extremely convivial It's Almost Christmas Day, a party singalong that is saturated with chimes, bells and a perky, kicky beat that will have you swaying along to Terrence Davis' "hell yeah, it's Christmas" vocal style. The instrumental feels instantly familiar, as if elements of every festive song you've ever known have been thrown into the Deluxe blender to create something sparkling for you. Lyrically it details how you should just embrace the season, forget your woes and just get on with being happy. Love the subtle addition of a kiddie choir in the chorus, it adds a cute factor but it's certainly not overpowering. This is followed by The First Thing On My Christmas List, sung by Eve Washington. This manages to succeed in doing what made acts like Abba and Steps so successful - it's a quirky, peppy, pop tune with a soaring melody & catchy chorus that acts as a complete juxtaposition to the somewhat downbeat lyrics of spending Christmas without that special someone who can make it all complete. The rockier, yearning middle 8 is a giddy little treat before that delectable chorus returns to tantalise your senses all over again. If only all pop music were this "teardrops on the disco floor", the world would be a better place...
Next up is a gorgeous, classic sounding number called What It Took To Get Here (Ding Dong), a timeless little ditty that could have been sung by Doris Day. however, it's ably performed by Alina Mirela who gives this jazz tinged production a little sass and a lot of attitude. The "ding dong" refrain in the chorus is devilishly clever and one of the most fun things I've heard this year. Oh and the piano is so playful & teasing in the middle 8, before additional chimes come in is a joy to listen to. It really is like listening to a years old festive standard, yet it's new and entirely wonderful. The EP is all too soon rounded off with a 2011 remix of the spectacular The Echo Will Be In My Heart. Talk about a rousing vocal performance from Eartha Willis, who takes control of the track and allows the percolating chiming melody and E-Street Band-esque horns to perfectly complement her exuberance and energy. It's a little more ethereal and floating than last year's version, but still flutters like a snowflake, conjouring up images of a peppermint winter that's so sugar sweet, you won't need a taste to believe...
So all in all, a pleasing mix of genres, a thorough understanding of seasonal music from all involved and some genuinely engaging tunes that remain embedded in your brain long after the music has stopped. Well done Mr Deluxe, writer, producer, DJ extraordinaire, all round nice guy and foxy fella. In your magic I trust.
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