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Christmas comes but once a year - and in the Western world it is impossible to avoid, whatever your belief system. So, Trojan Records, and the artists featured on this 3-CD, 50 track box set have adopted a policy of 'if you can't beat them, join them'.

…and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable if occasionally downright cheesy couple of hours worth of listening. Of course, many of the lyrics offer opportunities to sing about peace and love, and so do not sound quite as anomalous as they might. John Holt, Jacob Miller - and isn't it great to hear him again, gently subverting the familiar words and sounding as though he is enjoying himself immensely - and Yellowman are the best represented artists on the set, with material from their respective Christmas albums. However, many of the other tracks are ultra-rare, ranging from items such as the Granville Williams Orchestra informing us in time honoured fashion that 'Santa Claus Is Ska-ing To Town', Reuben Anderson's 1967 hit 'Christmas Time Again', the Ethiopians 'Ding Dong Bell' from the 1968 session that produced 'Reggae Hit The Town' and King Stitt telling us about the 'Christmas Tree' from around 1970 to June (J.C.) Lodge's exultant 'Joy To The World' and Lee Perry's UK recorded duet with Sandra Robinson 'Merry Christmas, Happy New Year'. My personal favourite on a somewhat quirky set has to be Johnny Clarke's Bunny Lee-produced cover of 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus' (though Pablove Black's 'Silent Night' runs it close)!

One to play when, as King Yellow says, you have the 'breadfruit roasting on a open fire'! - Norman Darwen