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Somehow, perhaps because of its clever title, I had heard about Sam Levine's Christmas Sax long before I learned it could be found at Green Hill Productions. So, I was happy to have the opportunity to hear it, if only to find out if it could live up to the "reputation" of its title. I am pleased to report it is all I had hoped it would be, and then some.

This is a very lighthearted take on the festive season and features a predominantly non-religious set of seasonals. In fact, several of these songs are unlikely to be found anywhere else this season. This Christmas was a cool jazz arrangement of a song I don't often find included on holiday recordings. Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) is more of a sacred number, played with intensity and great sensitivity by Levine, who conveys the anticipation and foreboding inherent in the story of Christ's birth. Levine is also thoughtful enough to include some seasonal favorites, such as Silver Bells, The Christmas Song, and White Christmas, which he plays with great instrumental musicality and virtuosity.

For my money, this is the most romantic offering of the year. No instrument is better than the saxophone for setting up a mellow, romantic encounter. This CD is highly recommended to provide the mood music for a mid-December candlelight dinner for two.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 1999)

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Sam Levine

Christmas Sax

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Track List