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Our Review

Vinne Zummo is (virtually) a one-man show on A Retro Cool Bossa Nova Christmas, a nicely-crafted instrumental jazz album featuring languid lounge interpretations of holiday standards. Zummo handles the instruments (including guitars, harmonica, accordion) and even some background vocals (with Janice Zummo), and he's the guy who produced, arranged, and engineered the whole shebang. And congratulations to Vinnie Zummo--the end result of his hard work is a nifty Christmas album that exudes the smoothest Brazilian vibes with cool bossa nova rhythms. Cool, man, cool!

For those desiring a mood that is retro easy listening, while maintaining contemporary sweet jazz undertones, Zummo puts it all together in his Retro Cool Bossa Nova Christmas. With the exception of two groovy originals (Zummo's Groovy Snow and Christmas Groove), the dozen cuts are holiday standards, lovingly interpreted in a bossa nova way. I especially enjoyed the harmonica fluorishes on O Tannenbaum, and the guitar licks are grand throughout. There are no true "vocals" here; instead, the Zummos (Vinnie & Janice) occasionally supply jazzy vocalizations to supplement the instrumentation. The mood is low-key, lovely, and sexy. This is the sort of samba-licious music that will have your hips swaying into next week.

So settle down in the lounge, get your groove on, and get Vinnie Zummo's Retro Cool Bossa Nova Christmas.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

All instruments including Nylon and Electric Guitars, Chromatic Harmonica, & Accordion: Vinne Zummo
Background Vocals: Janice Zummo & Vinnie Zummo

Produced, arranged, engineered, and mixed by Vinnie Zummo
Mastered by Kyle Kelso at Lunchroom Music

Vinnie Zummo

A Retro Cool Bossa Nova Christmas

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Track List