You know the holidays are coming when you cannot move in the shops for sleigh bells and festive music. And as the old adage goes, you can never have enough sleigh bells. Otherwise, you might end up on Santa’s naughty list, and you wouldn’t want that, would you?

1. Jimmy Reed "Christmas Present Blues"
2. Electric Jungle "Funky Funky Christmas"
3. Funk Machine "Soul Santa"
4. Isaac Clarke "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"
5. The Harlem Children's Chorus "Black Christmas"
6. Wild Honey "Angel's Christmas"
7. Zebra "Christmas Morning"
8. Harvey Arlene Band "Let's Get It Together This Christmas"
9. Captain Elmo McKenzie & The Roosters "Home On Christmas Day"
10. Jimmy Jules "The New Year"
11. J.D. McDonald "Boogaloo Santa Claus"
12. Black On White Affair "Auld Lang Syne"

"In The Christmas Groove" on Strut Records is the perfect antidote to the usual festive diet of schmaltz and Mariah Carey warbling that all she wants this yuletide is youuuu. The good boys and girls at Strut have assembled 12 obscure b-sides of blues, soul and funk for your delectation and delight, truly earning themselves a place on Santa's good list.

Master bluesman Jimmy Reed kicks off the proceedings with "Christmas Present Blues". Blues hounds will be shaking their head over this one, wondering where on earth it came from. It's an amazingly funky piece of music and Reed and his harmonica are on top form, as always.

Electric Jungle's "Funky Funky Christmas" is another highlight with a filthy little groove. It almost goes without saying that there are a few staples of the holiday season, like "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and "Auld Lang Syne". And there are a lot of sleigh bells, so just be warned! Overall, it's a pretty tight selection of festive tunes. You will have heard Bing Crosby a million times, but you haven't lived until you have got into the Christmas Groove.

~ Jamie Hailstone

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