AMG Review of 20th Century Masters - The Christmas Collection

John Bush
All Music Guide

Christmas albums can be weak seasonal filler or they can be records that simply burst with good music; it simply depends on the artistry happening in the studio and the resources (namely, time) given the artist. Among studio musicians, the Miracles stood tall. Their Christmas output amounts to several contributions for Motown samplers and two full LPs, 1963's Christmas With the Miracles and 1968's The Season for Miracles. 20th Century Masters - The Christmas Collection collects close to half of their holiday material, one side of the first record and most of the second (plus the bonus "Christmas Lullaby"). Though erstwhile producer and songwriting phenom Smokey Robinson gets only an assistant credit, fellow Miracle Ronnie White wrote charts with a warm twist on the traditional Motown cool.