Sunday, 15 December 2019

Ric Hassani - Love and Christmas (EP)


10 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy Love and Christmas here (Amazon GB)

I'm ever so slightly smitten with the self proclaimed African Gentleman, Ric Hassani. Through his intoxicating blend of timeless r'n'b, he's bought an elegance and sophistication to the genre whilst providing heartfelt, emotive tunes. It is that type of sound that makes the good sir a prime candidate to release Christmas music - and his Love and Christmas EP sparkles like the brightest star. From the cover art where he demonstrates a fine suit will never go out of style to the music contained within, Mr Hassani pours an obvious love of the season into every nuanced moment and the results are entirely compelling. Across just five tracks he conveys feelings and sentiments so eloquently and with such grace that the listener feels every moment with him. It takes me back to the early 90s when the likes of Tevin Campbell, Babyface and Trey Lorenz would release music built around lyrics and melody rather than the fleeting production fads of the day. In that sense, this should become a classic to be bought out year after year as it becomes the soundtrack to more and more memories...

The EP opens with the earnest charm of I Met You On Christmas Eve. With gently buoyant piano chords and a sweeping string section, the instrumental works in symbiotic partnership with Mr Hassani's beautifully smooth vocals. His voice is full of aching yearning, an emotion so tangible you feel you can reach out and touch it. There is a tenderness and vulnerability to the performance that makes the story feel so endearing and relatable. He continues that sense of candour and honesty on I'll Give You Love, This Christmas. The sumptuous wall of sound that is the quiet storm score is the perfect backdrop for his seductive, romantic promise. Along with the shimmering backing vocals, his passion filled refrain radiates a warmth that would melt the chilliest of hearts. Plus, that soaring falsetto note would make this a proposition very hard to say no to. Santa Bought Your Heart To Me details a story where love is found at a time of year where emotions are heightened so everything just feels a little more vivid. Luckily this is a tale of highs, with a mesmerising percussive groove and aura of gratitude that is so contagious it will make you glad for those in your life who provide you with such feelings.

Under A Christmas Tree is a great time to note that while these songs are absolutely saturated in the holiday spirit, they are swathed in instrumentals that feel like you could listen to them all the live long year without any judgement. This composition continues the thematic thread of the EP; that celebration of love and being with someone special at the most wonderful time of the year. Ric knows how to guide a melody with mellifluous ease and his lilting testimony is enhanced by some genuinely stirring harmonies. The EP comes to a close with the sole cover version - Mariah's All I Want For Christmas Is You. Yet Ric has deconstructed the song and rebuilt it to match the musical style of the EP (and provide the perfect coda to his seasonal story). The original romp has been transformed into a hypnotic ballad, complete with luscious piano chords and opulent strings - all blending together to cocoon Ric's haunting vocal in an enchanting majesty of music. An absolute masterclass in how to make a song your own and deliver it with a vocal finesse that is rarely matched in this age of studio gimmickry. Love and Christmas is perfect to play when you need a soothing moment away from the bustle of the holidays - or just when you want to appreciate fine r'n'b music from a premier vocalist.

**Ghosts of Christmas past**
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