By Odeisel
I love Christmas music. There are so many classic holiday songs with multiple renditions. You think of Nat King Cole, The Temptations, Bing Crosby and Mariah Carey. You think of snow and sleds and caroling. You certainly don’t think of concrete and Brooklyn, but Smif N Wessun and Cookin’ Soul want to change all that. Their collaboratorative effort Stocking Stuffers Hood X-Mas features some delightful production that combines holiday and hood elements for an interesting combo.
“Merry Little X-Mas” opens the tape with an 80’s R&B feel and talks of family love with food on the stove, family laughter and chestnuts roasting. “The track’s off the chain, the train’s off the track, it’s them PNC boys better holla back.” “Christmas in Hollis” is used as the foundation of “X-Mas in Bucktown.” You can’t eclipse the classic but they do a solid job shouting out the troops, Jam Master Jay and the less fortunate while adding that BK flavor to the track.
Holiday cheer is spread on “Jingle Bells,” atop a track with jolly brass samples and a snare heavy undercurrent. “Home Alone,” enlivened by excerpts from the movie, is more naughty than nice with heavy drums and flutes that cover the after party. Once the gifts are opened and the family stuff is done, it’s time to hit the club for the singles out there.
“Merry Little Xmas Pt. 2” employs a sped up vocal of Luther Vandross’ rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and a bit of help from B.I.G.’s “Juicy.” The track celebrates the come up and advancements made from hard work and struggle. The high energy “This Xmas” carries the beat and vocals of the classic “This Christmas” which speaks on men being fathers to their children and providing for their kids along with feeding your own desires for the holiday season.
“Xmas Vacation” is a gully track that features Tech N Steele appealing to their ladies with thoughts of getaways, diamonds, and other tokens of love. What makes the song interesting is the gully production and the Biggie vocal samples which stand in contrast to the prevailing sentiment.
Stockin Stuffers Hood Xmas is a solid departure from candy canes and gingerbread men that is both celebratory and original. It does so by honoring the spirit and not connecting with silly hood allegory. The tape features interludes, samples and disparate elements that connect it to the essence of the holiday. There are cool vocal samples, excerpts from movies and pop culture reference that also contribute. The rhymes are seasonally appropriate without being saccharine soft and Cookin’ Soul do a bang up job of controlling the mood.
3.25 out of 5
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