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Our Review

Liking this album is as simple as ABCD, Art Bernstein (drums) and Chuck D'Aloia (guitars). Their Christmas Time Is Gears is an excellent instrumental jazz album for the holidays. Except for track 10, the action is all guitars and drums, and the overall effect is generally low-key, but lushly groovin'.

The AB + CD equation is quite straightforward, really. The mix of percussion and guitars provides a minimalist framework for jazz, and it's that sweet simplicity that makes the math work. The ten familiar carols span nearly an hour, allowing for the rich development of each. Some feature the drums (like the rumba roll of Deck the Hall), and other numbers emphasize guitar excitement (like the soulful guitar riffs on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer), and all are a beautifully balanced blend. Everything honestly rocks here, but my favorite track is probably ABCD's ambling rendition of Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, with its wah-wah guitar wails and cymbal crashes. Too nice!

For the record, I do not know how ABCD connects with "Gears"--whether that is a reference to automotive buffs, the interlocking gears of musical collaboration, or the highly-tuned machinery under our skull hoods--in any event, ABCD produces smart music.

In the 1960s, the term "gear" was teenage slang for terrific--something akin to "fab" and "groovy." This sentiment certainly does describe Christmas Time Is Gears. Those who embrace jazz instrumentals of holiday standards should strongly consider learning their ABCDs for Christmas.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

ABCD is Art Bernstein & Chuck D'Aloia
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Chuck D'Aloia
Bass Guitars: Chuck D'Aloia
Drums: Art Berstein

Sleigh Bells on "Jingle Bells": Maxwell Alexander Turchick

Produced by Chuck D'Aloia, Art Bernstein & Luna
Mixed by Chuck D'Aloia
Mastered by Rob Turchick at YipDog Studios

All songs arranged, recorded & performed by Chuck D'Aloia & Art Bernstein

ABCD

Christmas Time Is Gears

Artist link

Track List