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With his numerous albums released on Venus Records, Eddie Higgins has established himself as one of Japan's most renowned jazz musicians. Higgins, who passed away in 2009, was one of those rare pianists who knew exactly where to find the best chords on the keyboard for the story he wanted to tell. He also knew how to cover the entire ivory landscape without hammering the keys or overdoing it. “Christmas Songs II” is every bit as cool, swinging, and emotional as “Christmas Songs,” released two years earlier—even though the album, recorded on May 24, 2006, at The Studio in New York and produced by Tetsuo Hara, was recorded by a different lineup: On these highly entertaining Christmas classics, Higgins is accompanied by George Mraz (bass) and Scott Hamilton (drums).
Venus Records was founded in Japan in 1992 by Tetsuo Hara, who previously worked as a producer for RCA Victor. The prestigious label uses a special mastering process called “Hyper Magnum Sound” for the strictly limited double LP of “Christmas Songs II”. The records are cut at 33 RPM and pressed on 180-gram vinyl, which produces a powerful, present sound and is highly appreciated by audiophiles worldwide. A quick note: Venus LPs are only pressed once! Once the edition is sold out, the title is removed from the catalog and will not be reissued. Collectors should therefore not wait too long to place their orders: all releases of the “Venus Masterpiece Collection” are extremely popular!
LP 1Side A:1. Silent Night2. Good King Wenceslas3. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Side B:1. Joy To The World2. We Wish You A Merry Christmas3. The First Noel
LP 2Side C:1. Winter Dreams2. We Three Kings Of Orient Are3. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Side D:1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing2. The Little Drummer Boy3. Jingle Bells