Christmas In Black And White

When was the last time a Christmas collection captured the true spirit of the season? Such holiday releases are rare indeed, yet Nicole C. Mullen's first foray into the genre does just that. Blending spoken-word pieces and Scripture readings, original music and traditional holiday fare -- sometimes even weaving them all into the same song -- Mullen's Christmas deftly captures the reasons Christians rejoice each December. The "black & white" referred to in the album's title is the biblical story of Jesus, a bold reminder from Mullen to look past the season's commercialism and get down to the "black & white" of the holiday. The title track is a spoken-word piece about the Virgin Mary, which Mullen recites with the backing of a bass groove and some funky percussion. Elsewhere she borrows Latin, Caribbean, acoustic, R&B, and dance elements to create a truly festive holiday experience. The artful production incorporates children's voices, family members (including a duet with Mullen and her father, Napoleon Coleman, on "The Christmas Song"), and unique instrumentation, bringing feelings of familial love and fellowship to this collection. Christmas in Black & White will no doubt become a Yuletide classic for generations to come. All Music Guide - Ashleigh Kittle Dove Award-winning female vocalist and songwriter Nicole C. Mullen released her first holiday project Christmas In Black And White in September 2002. While the album's title may appear to point to racial harmony, it's true meaning examines Christmas according to the black and white text of the Bible. Musically, the project follows suite to her 2000 self-titled release, and her 2001 album Talk About It. Songs include "Lamb Of God," "Merry Christmas, Baby," and "St. Nick's Groove."