Yesterday I considered writing a post on our home page about Orvis holiday pants. The text went something like this – “For generations Orvis has been supplying men with trousers that show “he’s got the holiday spirit.” Are they ridiculous? Most would say yes. However, Christmas requires a little below the belt banter. These pants are perfect for a touch of seasonal wit, and come without the embarrassment of banging the ugly secretary in the copy room after the office holiday party.”

I personally wear a pair of Orvis holiday trousers embroidered with holly. They look ridiculous and my sour demeanor never says “he’s got the holiday spirit.” Luther Vandross, on the other hand, has scores of glorious holiday recordings, and thus spirit. Some are standards. Some are original, and filled with the smooth sex appeal only a vocal master can conjure.

Enjoy, “The Mistletoe Jam”

One of my favorite regular reads is jazz blog Bop & Beyond. Highly recommended for quality pieces on a great era of jazz, and as the title suggests items beyond.

Today’s entry features a video of Sonny Rollins talking about when he recorded Mr. Coltrane. Beyond, he talks about the tradition of tenor battles. Filmed in 2007, and still fantastic viewing.

Be sure to check out Bop & Beyond regularly.

Ten years ago this month I was on site to film a video segment with Skinny Man, Nebula, and Chester P. Organized by my friends from Dark n’ Cold, we shot at the original Deal Real Shop. It was a really special moment in my life. Amazing how time flies, doesn’t feel that long ago. Deal Real has since perished, but Dark n’ Cold still operates from the same store front in Soho.

From Bury Crew EPs and recorded Mudlumz sessions, I’d come to discover Chester. These tapes were my link to the UK scene when home in the States. Mark B’s introduction to Task Force New Mic Order was something of a revelation too, an album I’ve written about at length elsewhere (and now can’t find the fucking link). Having just returned from London and spent time with the old crew, it felt right to share the experience.

I’m not sure how to adequately describe how it felt, an essentially private show from ones favorite MC doesn’t come often. Through all the MFTC releases, Louis Slippers 10 Pound Bags, EPs, collaborations with Phi Life Cypher, and more, Chester is probably the only rapper I’ve followed in full for the last decade. I celebrate his entire catalog.

Here’s the footage we shot.

A more recent Chester P freestyle below.