Guitarist Dave Stryker brings some needed soul back in Christmas as he teams with Stefon Harris/vib, Jared Gold/org and McClenty Hunter/dr for a hip huggin’ holiday album. Sleigh bells swing with Gold’s Hammond on “This Christmas” and the teams gets bluesy with Harris’ vibes for “What Child Is This?” A The team gives a gospel groove to “Blue Christmas,” A funkified “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and a Motown mood to “Soulful Frosty.” Steve Nelson replaces Harris for a shuffling “O Tannenbaum” and Stryker is using his ax to dig a deep hole for the tree. Four wise men this time around.