AMG Review of He Is Christmas

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

This CD finds the somewhat miraculous a cappella sextet Take 6 emphasizing the religious side of the holiday season. One of the world's only gospel jazz groups, Take 6 uses advanced harmonies and sophisticated improvisations while always keeping "the message" in the forefront. However, this Christmas set is rather brief (just 35½ minutes) and, even with a few highlights (the Yellowjackets' guest appearance on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and a drum machine used to humorous effect on the bizarre "'Twas Da Nite"), the results are not all that essential.