The Now and Then Trio's timeless 12-tune jazz christmas collection, "Christmas Time is Here", launches into tasty renditions of holiday favorites from the first strum of the jazz. The record opens with "Winter Wonderland" and the walking bass line and modulating kinetic guitar chord voicings establish a groove that is joined by muted trumpet melody to a contrast and delight. The performances establish the undeniable musicianship of guitarist, Flip Hoopes; horn prowess of take-no-prisoners Bob Ransom and 4-string Eddie Edwards on bass. Track 2 goes for the heart strings and secures them profoundly with a vibes and mellow guitar/bass rendition of "Christmas Time is Here", made famous in a Charlie Brown Christmas. The coronet soars with emotion in Ransom's solo section about three minutes in - perfect. He continues taking the melodic lead in the following track, "O Tanenbaum", but this time on crisp and clear vibes. The trio give "We Three Kings" a green-dolphin welcome in the be-bop version of the 6/8 classic. Track 9, "My Favorite Things", is a subtle and convincing version that doesn't attempt to emulate Coltrane's classic, it paints a fast-moving melodic performance with finesse and taste. The final hoiday answer is track 12's, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Ransom's flugel tone is perfect - with audible breath and key play that add to the organic nature of this high quality recording of the the Martin/Blane tune. All players get a pass at the dramatic progression through this 9-minute plus cut and so ends the record. The collection really belongs on every holiday/jazz lovers shelf for two main reason - the recording is deft with pleasing interpretations of great jazz-based Christmas music. And secondly, because the performances, strictly from an instrumental purist level, are inspired and honest - this isn't a regurgitated offering for an obligated holiday album - it's been approached with the seriousness of any fine musical collection and interpreted with respect to the composers and a desire to push the tunes in new directions within a contemporary jazz place.