Christmas Interpretations

Performer: Boyz II Men
Artist: Brian McKnight
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Boyz II Men: Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, Michael McCary. Additional personnel: Brian McKnight, Tim Feehan. Producers include: Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris, Michael McCary, Boyz II Men. Engineers include: J.E. Van Horne, Jr., Mark Chamberlain, Jason Westbrook. Recorded at Studio 4, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Hit Factory, London, England; Backroom Studios, Glendale, California; Rainbow Recording Studios, Omaha, Nebraska. Boyz II Men: Shawn Stockman, Nathan Morris, Michael McCary, Wanya Morris (vocals). Additional personnel: Brian McKnight. Producers include: Brian McKnight, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman. Recorded at Studio 4, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Hit Factory, London, England; Backroom, Glendale, California; Rainbow Studios, Omaha, Nebraska. This is part of "20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection" series. Indeed, it is the most wonderful time of the year, and this reissue of 1993's Christmas Interpretations arrives under the Universal 20th Century Masters series, which has launched its own subset of holiday releases. Produced by fellow soulful crooner Brian McKnight, this ten-song workout is not a collection of holiday favorites (aside from the traditional "Silent Night" that opens and closes the recording), but a series of brand new holiday compositions based on the quiet storm market. The Boyz are in fine form, as per usual, and the production work is of top-notch quality. However, within the smooth delivery lie lyrics that are melancholic and downtrodden, the kind of despair that is commonly associated with the holiday season but just not expressed so soulfully, most notably in the composition "Why Christmas," which reflects the existential angst of world issues during the holiday season. The results are a bit like crossing "What's Going On" with the New Edition classic "Can You Stand the Rain." Not exactly uplifting stuff to play when unwrapping presents or carving the holiday turkey, but if you are into pleasant-sounding melodies and silky-smooth production, then this is the perfect Christmas album for you. While most die-hard fans might already have this in their collections, fans who might have glanced over this release originally would be well-served to pick it up. ~ Rob Theakston Boyz II Men followed their hugely successful debut, Cooleyhighharmony, with Christmas Interpretations, which is a pretty intelligent choice, given that Christmas albums by established artists tend to sell year after year, while pop albums tend to sell mostly at the time of their popularity. So this album of all new Christmas material (written by the Boyz themselves) certainly helped the Boyz flesh out their catalog. There aren't any interpretations of Christmas classics to be found on this record, save for their a cappella rendition of "Silent Night." This album is pure, lushly produced quiet storm and, because of the lack of traditional favorites, could be played at any time of year. This set differs from typical Boyz II Men albums in that it's very subdued, and vocal histrionics are kept at a minimum. This set also differs from traditional Christmas albums in that the songs generally deal with more melancholy subject matter, such as depression and suffering ("Why Christmas") and loneliness and poverty ("Cold December Nights"). It's also balanced with songs about the joys of giving (the elegant "Share Love," "Do They Know") and, of course, love ("You're Not Alone," "Who Would Have Thought"). This set also features "Let It Snow," a Top 40 duet with maestro Brian McKnight, who co-produced nearly every song on this album (it should have been titled Boyz II Men featuring Brian McKnight). This set is a cozy, velvety, and hip quiet storm Christmas album with touches of jazz, nostalgia, and melancholy but, at times, one yearns to hear the Boyz' lush harmonies wrapped around traditional favorites. Nonetheless, a nice chapter in the saga that is Boyz II Men. ~ Jose F. Promis

While rap music was the music of choice on the urban charts and radio playlists by the late 1980s/early '90s, vocal group Boyz II Men re-introduced the merits of soul and contemporary R&B, laden with perfectly executed harmonies. The group became one of the most successful chart acts of the '90s, especially when their 1992 single, "The End of the Road," set the record for most weeks atop the Billboard charts, a record which they would subsequently reclaim in 1996 with the duet with Mariah Carey, "One Sweet Day."

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