0 The 10 Best Funky-Christmas Party Jams
- Christmas
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 12/15/2008
Here are my all time picks for the 10 best funky-Christmas party jams (as appraised in 2008).
- "Christmas in Hollis" - Run-D.M.C.
- "N - Yo - City" - Bootsy Collins
- "Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto" - James Brown
- "Christmas Rappin'" - Kurtis Blow
- "Little Drummer Boy" - Kofi
- "Joy To The World - Aretha Franklin
- " Winter Mix" - Gloria Gaynor
- "Nutcracker Suite (remix)" - Berlin Symphony Orchestra
- "Funky Christmas" - The Whispers
- "Happy Holidays" - Ohio Players
- bonus: "Here Comes Santa Claus" - Rupaul
For the sonic volume, energy, and originality, Run-D.M.C. makes the top of the list. "Christmas In Hollis" is featured in the original 1988 movie, Die Hard.
Bootsy Collins, James Brown, and Kurtis Blow all stretch out with a funky Yuletide beat.
Kofi's entertaining reggae version of "The Little Drummer Boy" offers an edgy contrast traveling from a softer chorus to a driving percussion during different parts of his score.
Aretha Franklin's version of "Joy To The World" is not exclusively funk, as it includes the high energy gymnastics of a soaring gospel choir.
Gloria Gaynor offers "Winter Mix" to prove that exciting "house music" never goes out of style, even when reworking "Winter Wonderland," which is what she does on "Winter Mix."
The remixed "Nutcracker Suite" by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra is crafty and clever.
"Funky Christmas" from the Whispers dances along, old school style, with their trademark harmonically tight vocals.
"Happy Holidays" from the Ohio Players has to be included in my list, even though this song barely propels itself up to a medium tempo beat.
The Ohio Players managed to keep their unique style and identity on this nearly 8-minute track. While somewhat repetitive due to the length, the holiday message charms us into the spirit of the season.
As a bonus, a shout out to Rupaul, who took Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady" melody, and turned it into a tongue-and-cheek party prance. This ain't cowboy Gene Autry singing here!
Watch my exclusive 90 second video and count the number of friendly faces who have wonderful holiday songs to share with you! I make a quick appearance for a few seconds.
Spoiler alert. Yes, I got Aretha to autograph her Christmas CD for me while she was on tour to promote it!