While R&B quintet Troop had yet to release an album since the late nineties, the group stayed active with touring and solo offerings from some members. In 2014, the group surprised fans by releasing a new song, “Santa Can You Help Me.”
Lead singer Steven Russell had already validated his legacy by writing numerous R&B hits for nearly two decades. With this song, though, he gets help from group mate Jon Jon. R&B fans will notice the music has a sample of the group’s cover of The Jacksons’ “All I Do Is Think of You.”
Featuring the classic Troop sound and harmonies, “Santa Can You Help Me” could’ve easily set the stage for Troop’s first R&B Christmas album. While Allen McNeil sadly wasn’t a part of the record, remaining members Steven Russell Harts, Jon Harreld, Rodney Benford, and the late Reggie Warren sounded great on the song. It doesn’t try to appeal to a modern demographic.
“Santa Can You Help Me” brings R&B soul to Christmas this holiday season with an expression of love. The song is about affection, accepting responsibility, and the sincerity many of us long for, especially at this time of year. While the song is eight years old, it still sounds better than some Christmas R&B tracks that have hit the streaming market this year.
Final Grade: B +
“Santa Can You Help Me?” is available on all streaming platforms.
Songstress Ashanti was experiencing significant success with two platinum albums at the time of the release of her inaugural holiday project, “Ashanti’s Christmas,” on November 18, 2003. Her label head, Irv Gotti, produced most of the album. This project comprises four original songs co-written by Ashanti, in addition to six cover versions of traditional Christmas standards and carols.
Vocal quartet A Few Good Man contributed two songs to the project: a cover of “Silver Bells” and the ballad “Merry Christmas My Dear,” both of which were produced by Daryl Simmons. Demail Burks, David Morris, Aaron Hilliard, and Tony Amey were the members of the group, and after introducing themselves in the festive video for “Silver Bells,” it was only fitting that they delivered a ballad on the album.
R&B legend Luther Vandross had already solidified his place in R&B when he released his first holiday album, “This Is Christmas. Arriving in stores on October 24, 1995, “This Is Christmas” validates Vandross’s ability to sing anything.