Christmas Jazz - On the Smooth & Wayward Path by Noel Lorica

I know that's weird to say of an instrumental Christmas album but knowing these time honored pieces you can really hear the refreshing interpretations of these Christmas carols and songs. Right from the start with "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", Noel Lorica energizes his music with complimentary melodies and beats to make you fall in love with this Christmas classic. Wayward Jazz uses the mastery of the acoustic guitar to add resonance and soul to Christmas that has lost some in recent renditions. From the solo pieces "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" to full jazz ensembles of "SIlverBells" and "We Three Kings", each song is unique. Put away your conceptions or classifications, Latin-Asian-Standard-Contemporary-Modern Jazz and listen to the music, you'll realize it's all and none of each.

If your a purist, turn away, Wayward jazz is not for you.Even the classical melody of "Angels We Have Heard on High" gets transformed with new dimension. We're not talking bells and whistles (well maybe bells in some songs). We're talking joy, vision and skill. Although, Noel Lorica is a guitarist, his music is not afraid to explore the qualities of other instruments and cultures as well. In "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" the saxophone adds the highlights. And in the celebrated Philippine Christmas melody of " Christmas is Here" (Kasadya Nigh Takna-a" later popularized to "Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit"), he brings the flavor of diversity yet the symmetry of music throughout the world. Lastly, Noel Lorica reprises his original song "Scent of Cinnamon" (debuted on his first album), which was as the name suggests, written as a Christmas song. We hope you come take a little hoilday diversion with Noel Lorica and enjoy the new musical flavors on this CD.

Noel Lorica and his family wish everyone a Happy Holiday filled with joy and peace.

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