As a founding member of Philadelphia’s MFSB, vibraphonist Vincent Montana, Jr. played on countless hits by The O’Jays, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, The Three Degrees, Billy Paul, and others. But Montana had a bigger vision: a full-fledged disco orchestra combining the soulful Philly sound with the infectious dance rhythms of Latin America.

The result was The Salsoul Orchestra, formed for the groundbreaking disco/dance label Salsoul Records by Montana and his MFSB bandmates. ‘Christmas Jollies’ is a lush, orchestral salute to the holiday that became the US’ biggest-selling Christmas album of 1976 and 1977, which inspired a 1981 sequel, produced by Patrick Adams, that took a more R&B-flavored approach, with guest vocals from Salsoul recording artist Jocelyn Brown of Inner Life, Marian Rolle, and Wendell Morrison.

After a hiatus, Salsoul Records relaunched in 1992. The revived label enlisted the renowned Tom Moulton, “Father of the Disco Mix”, to work his magic on ‘Christmas Jollies’, the result was a more club-oriented sound to the original album, and it’s Moulton’s mix that has been primarily available for the last three decades.

This collection is now the definitive 3CD celebration of one of the greatest and best-selling Christmas albums of all time with ‘The Extra Jolly Edition’ presenting Moulton’s mix in its 1992 2LP sequence which hasn’t yet appeared on CD.

It is also SoulMusic Records’ first joint release with popular re-issue site The Second Disc and contains 36 tracks comprising the original, hard-to-find 1976 mix of ‘Christmas Jollies’ and Tom Moulton’s complete 1992 remix plus producer Patrick Adams’ rare follow-up, Christmas Jollies II, and a whopping 11 bonus single versions and remixes!

Key tracks include the holiday perennial ‘Merry Christmas All’ sung by Denise Montana, the merrily disco-fied ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ (a favorite of Parliament-Funkadelic’s George Clinton!), ‘You’re All I Want For Christmas’ performed by Inner Life’s Jocelyn Brown, and epic Christmas and New Year’s medleys!

‘Christmas Jollies’ features the Philadelphia soul sound of the original MFSB, including Norman Harris, The Trammps’ Earl Young, Larry Washington, Don Renaldo’s Horns and Strings, and The Sweethearts of Sigma!

CD 1: Christmas Jollies (Expanded Edition)
1 The Little Drummer Boy 2 Sleigh Ride 3 Silent Night 4 Merry Christmas All 5 Christmas Time 6 There’s Someone Who’s Knocking 7 Christmas Medley 8 New Year’s Medley 9 We Wish You a Merry Christmas (7” Version) [Bonus Track] 10 The Little Drummer Boy (7” Version) [Bonus Track] 11 Christmas Time (7” Version) [Bonus Track] 12 Christmas Time (a.k.a. Christmas Medley) (7 Version) [Bonus Track] 13 New Year’s Medley (Single Version) [Bonus Track] 14 Christmas Time (a.k.a. Christmas Medley) (12” Version) [Bonus Track]

A definitive document of the disco era, the Salsoul Orchestra’s Christmas Jollies offers funked-up renditions of holiday favorites including The Little Drummer Boy, Sleigh Ride and Silent Night.

Also included is a pair of medleys, the first celebrating Christmas and the second New Year’s Day; the latter comprises an eclectic mixture of songs including Auld Lang Salsoul, I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover, Alabama Jubilee, Oh, Dem Golden Slippers and God Bless America.

In a nutshell, and this might well seem very left of center, but if you love Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas ( because it’s an upbeat song that puts you in the holiday spirit) then THIS is the album for you, my friends! You will NOT be disappointed!! Classic holiday tunes done in such a nice arrangement guaranteed to keep you in that holiday mood!

CD 2: Christmas Jollies II (Expanded Edition)
1 You’re All I Want for Christmas 2 Deck the Halls 3 Joy to the World 4 The Salsoul Christmas Suite 5 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 6 Joyful Spirit 7 Deck the Halls (7” Version) [Bonus Track] 8 The Salsoul Christmas Suite (7” Version) [Bonus Track]

The obvious sequel to the blockbuster original, Christmas Jollies II might not be as out-the-gate wondrous as its original, but it still manages to present to us some more beloved known and embraced original Christmas classics.

Holiday classics that we have all known and loved for decades and thus still manage to fill our hearts and lift our collective spirits throughout this festive period.

That all said, this sequel is a wee bit repetitive and lacking in the magic of the previous one, but nonetheless is a very nice Christmas album from the Salsoul Orchestra to put you in, and keep you in the loving embrace of the Christmas mood.

CD 3: Christmas Jollies: A TOM MOULTON MIX (Expanded Edition)
1 Christmas Medley 2 The Little Drummer Boy 3 New Year’s Medley 4 Sleigh Ride 5 Merry Christmas All 6 There’s Someone Who’s Knocking 7 Silent Night 8 New Year’s Americana Suite 9 Christmas Medley (Part I) [Bonus Track] 10 Christmas Medley (Part II) [Bonus Track] 11 The Little Drummer Boy (DANK Remix) [Bonus Track]

‘The Extra Jolly Edition’ presents Moulton’s mix in its 1992 2LP sequence which hasn’t yet appeared on CD.

The Deluxe 24-page booklet includes photos, memorabilia, and a comprehensive essay by The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese drawing on new and archival quotes from Denise Montana, Vince Montana, Patrick Adams, The Salsoul Orchestra’s Bobby Eli, and others.

Official 3CD Purchase Link