The leaves on the trees have barely begun to change colors but the Christmas music is already making its way to record shelves.
BV Buzz decided to showcase some of this season's newest holiday offerings by some of the finest in R&B, gospel and jazz.
SWV lead singer Coko is releasing her first solo Christmas offering, 'A Coko Christmas' (Music Doll/Light Records) on Oct. 28.
On the heals of her Grammy-nominated gospel debut, 'Grateful,' her holiday CD has Coko revisiting familiar territory having released 'A Special Christmas' with SWV back in 1997.
'A Coko Christmas' features original songs like 'We Thank You,' 'The Greatest,' 'Holy' and 'Grateful.'
The set also features a duet with 'American Idol' finalist George Huff on 'Give Love on Christmas Day,' a new interpretation of 'Silent Night' with her mother Lady Tibba Gamble and son Jalen sharing vocals, and she reunites with her SWV members on songs like 'This Christmas,' 'O Holy Night' and 'The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire).'
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Season five 'American Idol' finalist Elliott Yamin has a holiday album coming out called, 'My Kind of Holiday' (Hickory Records/Sony Red).
In stores on Oct. 7, the CD is an extension of a Target-only release from last year called 'Soun 
ds of the Season: The Elliott Yamin Holiday Collection.'
Yamin, a gold-selling U.S. singer and megastar in Japan, includes favorites like 'This Christmas,' 'Jingle Bells,' 'Little Drummer Boy,' 'A Very Merry Christmas,' 'Merry Christmas Baby' and 'The Christmas Song' on the set.
Additionally, there is fresh material like 'Warm Me Up,' 'Back Door Santa,' 'Let's Be Naughty' and 'Christmas Without Carol.'
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The "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin is releasing her first Christmas CD after more than 40 years of making music.
The CD, 'This Christmas Aretha' (DMI Records), will bow on Oct. 14 and be 
sold exclusively at Borders Books & Music, Borders.com and Waldenbooks.
Among the 11 tracks on the holiday disc include 'Angels We Have Heard on High,' 'This Christmas,' 'The Lord Will Make a Way,' 'Ave Maria' 'Christmas Ain't Christmas (Without The One You Love),' '14 Angels' and 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.'
The set also includes
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Soul iconoclast Rahsaan Patterson delivers an innovative approach to Christmas with his first holiday disc, 'The Ultimate Gift' (Artistry Music).
The singer co-wrote eight of the eleven holiday tracks featured on t 
he CD, among them are songs like 'Holiday,' 'This Is The Season,' 'Peace and Joy,' 'That First Christmas' and 'Angels (Sing).'
Patterson covers Paul McCartney's 'Wonderful Christmastime' on the set and offers some Christmas staples like 'What Christmas Means To Me' and 'Little Drummer Boy' as well.
In addition to great music, Patterson's animated CD cover is worth the price of the CD alone.
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Hot-like-fire newcomer Ledisi has gotten into the Christmas spirit with her debut holiday offering.
Her second CD for Verve Records, Ledisi's 'It's Christmas' features holiday standards like 'Silent Night,' 'Give Love on Christmas Day,' 'What A Wonderful World' and 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.'
The two-time Grammy nominee shows off her writing ability on newly penned holiday jams like 'Be There For Christmas,' 'The Christmas (Could Be The One),' 'Its Christmas' and 'Thank You.'
Gospel great Richard Smallwood lends his gift to Ledisi's 'I'll Go.'
'It's Christmas' is in stores now.
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R&B balladeer Brian McKnight is releasing his second Christmas CD.
In 1998, McKnight released the critically acclaimed '
On Oct. 28, McKnight g 
ives holiday music another go with 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' (Razor & Tie).
The singer offers some yuletide classics, three original songs and several superstar guests on the CD.
Country star Vince Gill duets on 'Christmas You And Me,' Josh Groban is featured on 'Angels We Have Heard On High' and Take 6 showcase their harmonies on 'Bless This House.'
McKnight's sons, Brian, Jr. and Nikolas, make their recording debut on the Christmas hit, 'Let It Snow.'
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VIDEO: Watch this video of Coko singing her 'Medley of Hymns' at
Comments: (2)
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By: Calvin on 10/04/2008 2:38PM
Coko is the most underrated singer in the business. I wish the world could see her shine!
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By: JOHN on 10/05/2008 1:16PM
MISS ARETHA IS "THE QUEEN OF SOUL!!" LET US NEVER FOR GET IT. THERE WILL NEVER EVER BE ANOTHER QUEEN OF SOUL. IF AND WHEN SHE PASSES ON TO THE GREAT SOULFUL SOUNDS IN "SOUL HEAVEN" LIKE THOSE WE HAVE LOST IN THE PAST, SAM COOK, OTIS REDDING, MARVIN GAYE, THE TEMPTATION MEMBERS, DAVIN RUFFIN, EDDIE KENDRICKS, PAUL WILLIAMS, AND LAST BUT ABSOLUTELY NOT THE LEAST MR. MELVIN FRANKLIN AND FOUR TOP ORIGINALS, N0 ONE IN THIS WORLD WILL EVER REPLACE THEM. THEY MIGHT STEEL THEIR SONGS BUT THEY WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER PERSON LIKE THE ORIGINAL. YOU WOULD NOT SAY AN ELVIS IMATATOR IS NOW THE KING WOULD YOU? I THINK I MADE MY POINT! JOHN IN BSL MISS.
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