Album Review of
Christmas All the Way

Written by Joe Ross
December 7, 2019 - 1:31am EST
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"Christmas All the Way” is the fourth album from this sextet of self-described “jazz vocal nerds” that founded Accent in 2011. It was through social media that the singers first met and became fans of each other’s multi-tracked videos on You Tube. Before long, Accent had formed with Jean-Baptiste “JB” Craipeau (France), Simon Åkesson (Sweden), Danny Fong (Canada), Andrew Kesler (Canada), James Rose (United Kingdom), and Evan Sanders (USA). Each member of the technically accomplished group contributes to the intricate arrangements. One original composition, James Rose’s “Winter Winds” has breezy, light-hearted qualities. Accent offers splendid swinging renditions of classics like “A Holly, Jolly Christmas,” “Let it Snow!” and “The Christmas Song,” while interpreting international fare like “Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul” and “Petit Papa Noël,” well-known Christmas hits in Sweden and France, respectively. Whether singing in English, Swedish or French, Accent’s musicality is intelligent and distinctive. Top orchestral arrangers and instrumentalists also contributed to this ambitious and astute Christmas project. Accent has a very appealing je ne sais quoi that will take them to a high level in the international music scene.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)