Music review: R&B artists offer jazzy soul on holiday CD

Various artists, ``Soul of the Holidays'' (Howard University Records)

Don't be fooled by the title. There's no gut-bucket soul on ``Soul of the Holidays.''

This CD/DVD compilation is really more of a smooth jazz thing. The soul is dished up in tantalizing spoonfuls alongside mellow grooves that turn some of the most challenging Christmas standards into feasts for the ear.

Maysa and Brian Culbertson put a beautifully playful spin on ``God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,'' as does Tony Rich on his rendition of ``Little Drummer Boy.''

The true bursts of soul come from Angie Stone on the eternally soulful ``This Christmas'' and on ``Silent Night'' by local band Spur of the Moment with saxophonists Plunky and Mike Phillips.

Howard University's radio station, WHUR, brought this collection of national and local artists together to raise money for FOOD2FEED, a charity that works to combat hunger in Washington.

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Phil Perry is priceless on ``I'll Be Home for Christmas,'' especially when he soars into an upper register that could trick an unwitting listener into thinking, ``Who's that fabulous lady singing with him?''