This Is Christmas
Luther Vandross · 1995
48 min · 10 tracks · funk
Smooth R&B grooves intertwine with lush orchestration, creating a warm and inviting holiday atmosphere.
Top tracks — play these first
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With a Christmas Heart Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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This Is Christmas — The title track blends heartfelt lyrics with Vandross's signature vocal style, capturing the essence of the season's warmth and joy.
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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas — Vandross’s rendition transforms this classic into a soulful experience, emphasizing emotional depth through his expressive interpretation.
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Every Year, Every Christmas — This original song showcases Vandross's songwriting prowess while encapsulating the nostalgia and longing associated with holiday reunions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Vandross blends smooth R&B with holiday classics, creating a warm and inviting sound that stands out during the season.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestration with strings and horns that create a warm atmosphere, particularly in tracks like 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'.
- Vandross's vocal delivery is consistently smooth and emotive, with layered harmonies enhancing the richness of songs like 'This Is Christmas'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- warm festive atmosphere
- long immersive listening sessions
- contemplative holiday reflections
- smooth vocal melodies
- nostalgic seasonal moments
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid holiday album that showcases Vandross's unique take on Christmas classics.
- Career context
- This Is Christmas was Luther Vandross's first holiday album, released in 1995 following his commercial peak in the early '90s with hit albums like Power of Love. By this time, Vandross had established himself as a leading voice in R&B, known for his soulful ballads and captivating vocal delivery.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Barry White· Marvin Gaye· Al Green
Tracklist
- 1 With a Christmas Heart Start here 4:04
- 2 This Is Christmas 4:45
- 3 The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody) 4:45
- 4 Every Year, Every Christmas 5:06
- 5 My Favorite Things 5:58
- 6 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 5:05
- 7 I Listen to the Bells 6:07
- 8 Please Come Home for Christmas 3:37
- 9 A Kiss for Christmas 4:12
- 10 O' Come All Ye Faithful 4:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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