Best Album - Sonus Borealis by The Accidentals & Kaboom Studio Orchestra
Song selection, stretching the boundaries of the Christmas music genre, stunningly gorgeous singing, amazing arrangements, superb instrumental partnership with Kaboom Studio Orchestra - all of this makes Sonus Borealis a holiday winter collection my album of the year. I played it more than any other album, selected a song for my annual comp, selected another song for my annual radio guest-DJ gig, and thoroughly enjoyed the only cover I've heard of Christmas Eve Sarajevo, re-imagined only slightly but significantly. This CD will go straight to my A List container.
Runner Up - Christmas Is... by Bria Skonberg
Bria Skonberg's Christmas Is... had been on my list of 2025 releases that I was tracking, but with all the things happening during the season, it fell off my radar. Until Dec 18, that is, when I bought a download of this album. It's tremendous. Magnificent arrangements of standards, high energy, reverence to the greats i.e. "Sugar Rum Cherry", the Duke Ellington arrangement of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The opening track "Carol of the Bells" is an immediate attention grabber, and will find it's way onto my 2026 compilation.
Best Compilation Album: Sleigh the Holidays Vol. 2
Without a doubt, Sleigh the Holidays Vol. 2 is the best compilation album of this season. Two (yes, two!) tracks from this record made it onto my annual compilation, and I played one song on my radio gig. All 15 songs are outstanding, and JPOLND even made "Santa Baby" one to enjoy - a lot, actually. Ten jingles and a peppermint twist to Marilyn from HBM, the label that brought this record to life. More please! Volume 3 please!
Best Song: "The Christmas Song" by Lakecia Benjamin feat. Christie Dashiell
Grammy nominee and John Coltrane disciple Lakecia Benjamin is vibrant, effusive with energy, and brings a passion to her live performances that is practically unequaled among today's jazz stars. She channeled her emotional sax playing into a beautiful rendering of "The Christmas Song", with vocals by fellow Grammy nominee Christie Dashiell. Stunning. Available on all the streaming platforms, or you can purchase on iTunes.
Runner Up: "Jingle Bells" by The Blah Blah Blahs
The Blah Blah Blahs version of the revered chestnut "Jingle Bells" is my runner-up for Song of the Year. This track from the aforementioned Sleigh the Holidays Vol. 2 was the catchiest, highest energy song of the season. It took a pair of Grammy nominees to bump it from the top spot.
Spirit of Christmas Present Award: Jingle Bells by PIQSIQ
PIQSIQ's rendition of Jingle Bells (it's been a big year for Jingle Bells) is mesmerizing, haunting, and makes you wonder if you've stumbled onto Lucius from the Upside Down. Our friends at Christmas A Go Go made us aware of both the song and the sisters duo PIQSIQ. Their Inuit-style throat singing and layered recording make it a song that you've never heard the likes of before. PIQSIQ has a few other Christmas releases as well, which will be appearing on my annual comps for years to come. So, for sounding marvelously ghostly and eerie, PIQSIQ receives the first ever Spirit of Christmas Present Award.
Out of Left Field Award: Tinsel by Major Metals
Nate Kushner, performing as Major Metals, sent me an e-mail about Tinsel fairly late in the season. I (finally!) checked it out, and dug it like my dog Whitley burying a half-bagel in the back yard (true story - and I have no idea where the bagel came from). I could call Tinsel the indie-EP of the year, but I think I'll stick with the Out of Left Field special recognition award. Don't let 2025 come to a close without listening to Tinsel. Thoroughly amusing, especially if you're a fan of the off-kilter.
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