It's Christmas

iTunes Review

As an American Idol contestant, Mandisa impressed millions with her fervent, technically superb vocalizing and genuine personal charm. These same qualities make It’s Christmas more than a stocking-stuffer. Mandisa knows how to apply her formidable talent to a wide range of styles, making this album something of a sampler of Christmas music modes. She fills “Feliz Navidad” with salsa-fueled energy, delivers “Angels We Have Heard On High” with simmering Memphis soul, and blends folk-gospel with uptown jazz on “Children Go Where I Send Thee.” “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night” are reconsidered as string-draped ballads, allowing her to fully unleash her inner diva. She attempts to cover so many bases here that this album would sound a tad cluttered if it weren’t for its overall sense of fun. Michael W. Smith stops by to lend support on “Christmas Day,” while Matthew West adds his voice to “Christmas Makes Me Cry” (previously included on Mandisa’s Christmas Joy EP). If you’re looking for a sedate, highly traditional holiday collection, this isn’t it. But if you want to dig into a festive musical mix brought to life by a powerhouse voice, It’s Christmas will spice up the season nicely.