Take cover from this deadly Xmas-funk album cut by cruel crooner Jimmy Jules, devastating diva Jackie Spencer, and backed by the venomous Nuclear Soul System. Released on Jules’ Jim Gem label in 1977, the record vanished in disco’s mushroom cloud, achieving grail status and inspiring a Sharon Jones’ holiday album in the fall out. Silent night? Soulful fright!

Joseph Washington Jr.sMerry Christmas To Youis your shelter in a blizzard of bland holiday music. This barely-known 1983 private issue puts a soulful, funky, suave ribbon on nine frosty Christmas cutsoriginals, not covers; real joy, real wonderthe greatest Christmas soul record ever recorded. Under this tree, discover new classics for our cynical age: the buoyant Jesus Birthday, the hot and bothered soul of Merry Christmas, the ridiculously catchy wallet-opener Shopping. Down another nog and file with Phil SpectorsA Christmas Gift for You, John FaheysThe New Possibility, and Vince Guaraldis indelibleCharlie Brown Christmas.