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Our Review

This is smoooooth jazz of the smoothest sort! I knew that Nelson Rangell was a superb saxophonist, and he definitely displays that talent here. What I did not know, however, was that he is also a Piccolo Picasso, and Rangell plays a remarkable flute and/or piccolo on six of ten tracks.

All I Hope for Christmas is essentially an instrumental album with one major exception: Chris Bank delivers an easy-going, warm vocal on "The Christmas Song." The ten cuts are all familiar, except for the title song "All I've Hoped For," which was written by Rangell and Alex Nekrasov. This original number is a delicate jazz jewel; the melody is endearing right from the start.

This gentle, relaxing album has many delightful moments. The musicianship is first class. My favorite offerings include "Silent Night" with its soft samba rhythms and soaring piccolo, and the magnificent sax on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

All I Hope for Christmas is excellent easy-listening, adult contemporary music. For those wanting to unwind at the day's end, this CD may be all you hope for.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

All songs produced and arranged by Alex Nekrasov and Nelson Rangell, except:
"Ave Maria" produced and arranged by Kip Kuepper and Nelson Rangell;
"Let It Snow" arranged by Michael Abene, produced by Alex Nekrasov and Nelson Rangell;
"Oh Christmas Tree" arranged by Mark Johnson, produced by Alex Nekrasov and Nelson Rangell.

Musicians:
Nelson Rangell: Piccolo, Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Vocals
Alex Nekrasov: Keyboards, Drum Programming; Vocals
Chip Stephens: Piano
Ken Walker: Bass
Mike Marlier: Drums
Chris Bank: Vocal ("The Christmas Song")
Chuck Loeb: Acoustic Guitar
Kip Kuepper: Keyboards

Nelson Rangell

All I Hope for Christmas

Artist link

Track List