Ultimate Christmas 2

Leaving aside the logical implausibility of there being more than one ultimate Christmas album, ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS 2 is a star-studded dash through a winter wonderland of song. Every facet of pop is represented here, from the country flavor of Martina McBride (whose performance of "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" sounds all the more heartfelt given the rare occurrence of true winter weather in Nashville) to the urban R&B of R. Kelly, who sings a sensitive, sincere "World Christmas." Christina Aguilera's "Angels We Have Heard on High" carries some hitherto undetected seductive qualities (in addition to the singer's trademark vocal calisthenics), while the Eurythmics' "Miracle of Love" proves that, for some, Christmas tradition will always mean the 1980s. But the undoubted highlight of this collection is "Santa Claus Is Back in Town," a vintage R&B-style Elvis Presley track with backing by the Jordanaires, displaying the King at his impeccable best.