Record shops across the country pick their top Christmas tunes

Sounds Like Christmas

We catch up with the staff from some of our favourite independent record shops to find out what they’ll be listening to this Christmas

Interview: Tallah Brash

Low – Christmas Simply some of the most beautiful music of any kind ever made. Low imbue the music with a celestial sense of peace and love that whether you’re religious or not is the true spirit of Christmas. Just a small piece of Mimi Parker’s legacy, may she rest well. [Michael Kasparis, Monorail Music]

Frightened Rabbit – It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop A song I’ve loved and listened to every Christmas (and occasionally random days in July) since it was released. The lyrics hit even harder since Scott’s tragic death: ‘Now the cold has turned away / We can be best friends with the people we hate’. [Andy McKenzie, Slow Progress]

Darlene Love – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) When I first heard the introduction to this song, I thought it was pretty much the most exciting thing I had ever heard and THEN I found out the singer was the Mum from Lethal Weapon and my mind. was. blown. Anything produced by Phil Spector seems to have a perfect balance of jubilation and heartbreak which perfectly encapsulates my family get together on Christmas Day. [Mark Thorne, Thorne Records]

It has that massive Phil Spector production and never fails to make us feel happy. [Jack Le Feuvre, Le Freak Records] William Shatner – Shatner Claus Kicking off with an interpretation of Jingle Bells featuring Henry Rollins, you are sent hurtling towards Christmas on the back of Shatner’s sleigh (this even returns for a punk-rock version towards the end of the album, so hold on tight!). Absolutely full of joy, wonder and menace – all you really need at Christmas time! [Aimee Douglas, Assai Records]

Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody It seems like every band from

the 70s that had guitars has been reclaimed as “cool” except Slade. Thing is they had the best tunes. Better than Faces, T. Rex and all the rest. This was just another great song that just happens to be about Christmas. Plus you’ve got to love Noddy Holder screaming ‘It’s Chriiiiiiiiistmas!!!!!’ [Paul Bright, Strip Joint Records]

Duke Pearson – Merry Ole Soul (Blue Note Records 1969) For our ultimate cool Christmas soundtrack here in the shop we like to take the Sleigh Ride with jazz legends Duke Pearson, Bob Cranshaw, Mickey Roker and Airto Moreira on this beautifully recorded 1969 seasonal session from Blue Note Records. You can find it recently reissued on vinyl and sounding sublime as ever... Happy Christmas Duke! [George Macdonald, Underground Solu’shn]

Altered Crates – A Freddie Christmas Album This is a mash-up album of Amerigo Gazaway beats and Freddie Gibbs vocals. Originally arranged by Altered Crates, it has since been remastered by Gazaway himself and remains one of my favourite hip-hop records ever, regardless of the time of year – genius! Also, a special shout-out for Ain’t no Chimneys in the Projects by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. [Becca Ferrier-Baker, Orange Moon Records]

Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas Released in 1965 to coincide with a festive special of Charlie Brown that was never actually aired, the American jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi created an incredible, wintery jazz classic featuring bassist Fred Marshall and percussionist Jerry Granelli. This is a timeless Christmas classic that evokes the nostalgic beauty and joy of the season. [Mike & Fi Bryant, Good Vibes Neighbourhood Store]

Lost Christmas: A Festive Memphis Industries Selection Box This is a fun record that brings together a collection of artists who would be unlikely to ever work together otherwise – something very much in the festive spirit. The album is a weird and wonderful adventure that keeps you on your toes! [Gary Phizacklea, Assai Records]

Find full details of all these record shops, and more, in our guide to independent shopping from page 24 onwards

To listen to a playlist on Spotify featuring tracks from (most) of the above selections, search for our ‘Sounds Like Christmas’ playlist or scan the below code