It happened in October 2015 that the offbeat jack-of-all-trades was in the studio, recording these enchanting songs between ska, rocksteady, and soul with an all-star lineup of his various live band configurations.
Having grown up bilingual in German and French and being a well-traveled musician for many years with a lot of curiosity and open ears, DR. RING DING has repeatedly listened to certain songs about Christmas in various languages and genres over a long period. Thus, on "Once A Year," alongside five top-notch original compositions, there are also five excellently quirky and charming cover versions of thematic evergreens, as well as three songs that compile and quote traditional, ancient songs and melodic motifs. Any concerns that it might be predictable or possibly kitschy are, of course, completely unfounded.
The opening title track is a wonderfully romantic rocksteady, with the doctor crooning sultry and hoarse directly into the listener's ear. With "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and the support of US singer STEPHANIE K., one feels transported to a 60s Kingston studio with ALTON & HORTENSE ELLIS. The heroically buoyant "Dumpa Ska" combines radiant brass hooks with motifs from the folk songs "Es Wird Scho Glei Dumpa," "Oh Tannenbaum," and "Am Weihnachtsbaume Die Lichter Brennen" along with Caribbean-jazzy solos. The journey continues with French calypso-ska ("Petit Papa Noël"), while "Rub-A-Dub Santa" lives up to its title, and who could deliver a sonorous "Ho Ho Ho" better than DR. RING DING? The ultimate goosebumps come from the string-enhanced duet with STEPHANIE K., which connects to the quality of the best PHYLLIS DILLON songs. "Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes" brings us back to the dance floor with lively ska, while "Lulajze Jezuniu" enchants as a delicately crafted reggae ballad with Polish vocals.
Thirteen completely wonderful songs that can be enjoyed even outside of the season - with roots in France, Poland, Austria, the USA, England, and Germany - all perfectly distilled Caribbean style! CD in a beautifully designed digipack with an 8-page 4c booklet (detailed personal liner notes, credits, and all song lyrics). Over 51 minutes of total playing time.
Having grown up bilingual in German and French and being a well-traveled musician for many years with a lot of curiosity and open ears, DR. RING DING has repeatedly listened to certain songs about Christmas in various languages and genres over a long period. Thus, on "Once A Year," alongside five top-notch original compositions, there are also five excellently quirky and charming cover versions of thematic evergreens, as well as three songs that compile and quote traditional, ancient songs and melodic motifs. Any concerns that it might be predictable or possibly kitschy are, of course, completely unfounded.
The opening title track is a wonderfully romantic rocksteady, with the doctor crooning sultry and hoarse directly into the listener's ear. With "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and the support of US singer STEPHANIE K., one feels transported to a 60s Kingston studio with ALTON & HORTENSE ELLIS. The heroically buoyant "Dumpa Ska" combines radiant brass hooks with motifs from the folk songs "Es Wird Scho Glei Dumpa," "Oh Tannenbaum," and "Am Weihnachtsbaume Die Lichter Brennen" along with Caribbean-jazzy solos. The journey continues with French calypso-ska ("Petit Papa Noël"), while "Rub-A-Dub Santa" lives up to its title, and who could deliver a sonorous "Ho Ho Ho" better than DR. RING DING? The ultimate goosebumps come from the string-enhanced duet with STEPHANIE K., which connects to the quality of the best PHYLLIS DILLON songs. "Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes" brings us back to the dance floor with lively ska, while "Lulajze Jezuniu" enchants as a delicately crafted reggae ballad with Polish vocals.
Thirteen completely wonderful songs that can be enjoyed even outside of the season - with roots in France, Poland, Austria, the USA, England, and Germany - all perfectly distilled Caribbean style! CD in a beautifully designed digipack with an 8-page 4c booklet (detailed personal liner notes, credits, and all song lyrics). Over 51 minutes of total playing time.
