ManifestA Manifest Christmas
Manifest Music (2012)
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.
A Manifest Christmas could be subtitled A Jazzy Christmas.
This EP by Brooklyn’s male ensemble Manifest features smooth inspirational jazz interpretations of holiday classics such as “Silent Night” and an instrumental version of “Away In a Manger,” but also includes two new songs to celebrate Christmas.
The group’s instrumental prowess is on display during “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child,” aka “Glory, Glory to the New Born King.” It’s a brassy, extroverted take on the Christmas chestnut with improvisation that is one part Earth, Wind & Fire (music) and one part Kool and the Gang (vocals).
Manifest director Jonathan Hicks handles the lead vocals on “Silent Night,” his warm tone evoking shades of Lou Rawls in its lusty soulfulness. Chaz Shepherd’s composition, “What Of My Son,” takes for its inspiration the “Jesus is the reason for the season” motif.
Manifest is comprised of members of Men Voicing Praise, a men’s choral ensemble at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn. New York City .
A Manifest Christmas is urbane listening for bone-chilling late December nights. To be enjoyed with hot cocoa or tea.
Three of Five Stars
Picks: “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child.”
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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