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1) Betty Carter--"Let It Snow"--scat-tastic Christmas.

Merry Christmas  from Girl Blue Sees The Light!

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2) Katy B, (UK) "Sleigh Ride"-- Santa stops at London Town.

Propers-Soundcloud

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3) Priscilla Renea --"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"...show em how it's done!

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4) Phony Ppl--"Wonderful Christmas Time" Happy Holidays from Brooklyn.

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5) Unlocking The Truth, "Jingle Bells,"-- Viva la metal, kiddies. Rock out.

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6) Chris Fitz Rock and Soul, "Merry Christmas Baby"-- nitty gritty.

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7) Judith Hill, "Christmas Day," I hear Adele, I hear Amy, I hear island. Me likey.

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8) Straight No Chaser Feat. CeeLo Green,"White Christmas" --also known as "Southern Crunk Christmas A cappella."

NEW VIDEO: BRENDAN MACFARLANE, "GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN"

The next country/bluegrass superstar, Brendan Macfarlane sings an intimate "Go Rest High On That Mountain" in the video above.  It is a cover of Vince Gill's classic, originally created as an homage to those who have passed on.Watch above.--GB

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9) BESTie feat. Yoo Sae Yoon (S. Korea)--"Zzang Christmas"-- yay subtitles!

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10) Kevin Ross; Mario "Someday at Christmas"--Double song today! This is a Stevie Wonder cover, and both versions held a candle to Stevie's greatness. Mario just sang all over the track, especially the end. Kevin Ross is a fresh voice on Motown Records, and he provided a youthful innocence to the track, not unlike the originator himself back in the day. 

Click "Read More" for Mario's version.

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11) Macy Kate and the Macy Kate Band -- "This Christmas (Christina Aguilera cover)"-- riff on, girl. 

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12) Ghana & Naija All Stars (Ghana & Nigeria)-"Love In The Air"--small world. 

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13) Diane Birch "Gee Whiz It's Christmas"--golly gee whillikers.  

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14) Electric Jungle, "Funky Funky Christmas"-- get down.

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15) Mia Rose (UK)--"What Would Christmas Be Like"--annual beachy holiday song. 

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16) Tamar and Trina Braxton--"The Chipmunk Song"--This reminds me of En Vogue's album Born To Sing when they did "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (a spin on the Andrew Sisters' track). Love it!

NEW VIDEO: BAD RABBITS, "GET UP AND GO"

In the Bad Rabbits video for "Get Up And Go," off of their debut album American Love, lead singer Dua tries to correlate with background dancers before he gives up on the set and walks around taping himself on camera, singing about trying to fight the funk of getting over a girl. It's his literal funkiness that you can feel in the guitar grooves of the song; jam out to it above.--GB

NEW VIDEO: MATEO, "HOME FOR CHRISTMAS"

Mateo pours out his soul in his "Home For Christmas" holiday video. Singing at a train station, he wishes for his baby, and stops by her house, but quickly changes his mind. He ends up wandering off on the road home to his family who welcomes him with open arms. Does Santa grant his wish? Watch above.-GB

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17) Mateo-"Home For Chistmas"-- a nice new spin on an old classic.

Propers-ThisisRnb, Soundcloud

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18) Samantha Jade (Australia)--"Joy to the World" and "Joyful Joyful"-- every time I hear "Joyful Joyful" it takes me back to Sister Act 2 though...

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19) Ariana Grande--"Last Christmas"-- belt it out. 

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20) Machel Montano (Trinidad)--"Soca Santa"- he can define "turn up" for those still struggling with the phrase.

NEW VIDEO: LUKE JAMES, "STRAWBERRY VAPORS"

Luke James is caught in the high of love--a high he just can't shake. In the video for "Strawberry Vapors," off his latest mixtape Whispers In The Dark, James is lifted in slumber to an alternate existence in which he searches for his beau beside colorful scenery, (laying amist a bed of roses with a printed shirt, tinted smoke, the rising leaves, and jumping in a tie-dye shirt on a trampoline). He chases her in a dream sequence that ends in a way you just have to watch.

Great cinematography is becoming his staple, and shows well in the clip which was directed by Sarah McColgan.

You can find Luke James in the movie Black Nativity, in theaters now, and on the "Mrs. Carter Show World Tour" with Beyonce.--GB

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21) Alice Smith-"Silver Bells;" --The sultriness! Never duplicated. 

NEW VIDEO: ASTRO, "YES I KNOW MY G"

Astro takes you through the streets of his own stomping grounds of Brooklyn once again for "Yes I Know My G," one of his tracks off of Starvin Like Marvin For A Cool J Song. In the video, he finds himself in humorous situations  of communication flubs, one with a girl trying to return his lost keys, another with a corner store owner, one on a basketball court, and another with a girl who wants him to open a water bottle for her. Funny to see the silly side of this up-and-coming rapper. Watch above. 

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22) Willy Chirino (Cuba) - "El Niño de Belén."  No need to be a seat warmer here...

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23) The Rizzle Kicks (UK) --"Santa Clause Is Coming To Town"--lol.

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24) Voice Print (Sri Lanka) "Christmas Print Acapella "--Because not using instruments is pretty resourceful.

ALBUM REVIEW: REBECCA FERGUSON, "FREEDOM"

Rebecca Ferguson really took it there with her new album. The album deals with many issues surrounding her last two years including depression and court issues. Despite her label suggesting for her to take some time off she pushed through creating one of the most revealing and powerful releases. It is called Freedom, and it is sure to lift and inspire.

Different themes of strength under fire are in play on the strong anthems this album. Take “All That I've Got” for instance. This xylophone, piano and horn laden track says that despite all difficulties she's going to let the healing start and put it all on the table. Or rather,  "My Freedom." In the two-chord base of this song she tells her adversary that he or she won't take the freedom out of her life.

Then there is “Wonderful World.” The simplicity is in the guitar base and in the moral that things are not perfect and bad things may be happening but she can still see the good in everything.

Relationship songs like “Bridges” featuring John Legend about a love that stole more than gave and “I Choose You,” a love song in which she says her pride is gone but she chooses happiness and love, round out and soften the release. 

Rebecca Ferguson new album Freedom will be available in the UK on Monday, December 2.

Propers- Daily Mail

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So you've made it to the end of the year! Finally. The holiday season does start earlier and earlier every year, right? But we're really getting into the swing of things now.

Out and about and hearing the sweet traditional holiday music, GBSTL is here with a sort of holiday twist. These songs on the countdown are funky alternatives to the hum-drum tunes you hear on the daily. You'll laugh, you'll dance, and you'll have a good time to these picks; it's your audio-stocking stuffer to end 2013 with a bang, and get ready for that New Year. 

What better way to start than with some Jah love? Bob Marley's "Christmas Reggae" will have you bopping along with a mug of cocoa. Save some for yours truly.

Happy Holidays!-GB