Released 20 years ago
Christmas Time with Oleta
Oleta Adams · 2006
43 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A soulful blend of jazz and holiday classics, infused with Oleta Adams' rich, emotive vocals and lush arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Breath of Heaven — This track stands out for its poignant delivery and emotional weight, showcasing Adams' ability to convey deep spiritual themes through her powerful voice.
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Christmas Time Is Here — Adams infuses this beloved classic with a fresh interpretation, allowing her vocal phrasing to breathe new life into its nostalgic message.
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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas — Her rendition adds a soulful depth that transforms this standard into a heartfelt expression of hope and warmth during the holiday season.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends jazz with holiday classics, showcasing Adams' vocal style within cohesive arrangements.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush instrumental arrangements that support Adams' vocals, creating a rich soundscape throughout.
- Each track maintains a slow to mid-tempo pace, with no significant tempo shifts that might disrupt the overall flow.
- Adams' vocal delivery often includes subtle variations in phrasing and dynamics, enhancing the emotional weight of the familiar holiday songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic warmth for gatherings
- heartfelt reflections on holidays
- cozy evenings by the fire
- gentle pacing for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer modern sensibilities
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2006, 'Christmas Time with Oleta' marked Oleta Adams' return to the studio after a five-year hiatus since her last album, 'Come Walk with Me'. This project showcases her ability to reinterpret traditional Christmas songs through a contemporary soul lens, solidifying her status as a versatile artist within the jazz and soul genres.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lalah Hathaway· Nina Simone· Chaka Khan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Of the Father's Love Begotten 4:03
- 2 Alleluia, Alleluia (Peace on Earth) 3:52
- 3 Christmas Time Is Here 4:05
- 4 I Wonder as I Wander 4:51
- 5 Breath of Heaven 5:44
- 6 Winter Wonderland 4:23
- 7 There's Still My Joy 4:21
- 8 Let It Snow 3:39
- 9 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 4:34
- 10 Silent Night 3:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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