The Miracles - Christmas with The Miracles [White UK Import]

The Miracles bring early Motown warmth to the season on Christmas with The Miracles, their 1963 Tamla album, pressed on white vinyl as a UK import.

Recorded when the group were among Hitsville's brightest young stars, the album was produced by Miracle Ronnie White, with the Funk Brothers laying down the band behind them. Smokey Robinson handles most of the leads with that feather-light tenor, but the set is generous with the spotlight, passing the microphone around the group like a family gathered around the piano on Christmas Eve.

Claudette Robinson takes the lead on a bright, swinging "Let It Snow", and Ronnie White steps forward on a velvety "White Christmas". Smokey's own "Christmas Every Day" is the lone original, a sweet, hopeful wish that the season would never end, and a closing "O Holy Night" lets those famous harmonies rise and glow.

Ten songs, two short sides and not a wasted moment: it's the sound of Motown at its most tender, polished but never stiff, and sincere without ever turning syrupy.

For anyone building a soul-soaked holiday stack, this belongs near the front, a gentle reminder of how much heart the Detroit hit factory could pack into a carol, and how little it needed to show off.