Happy Charles

The Christmas Dream

With a professional handle like Happy Charles, Lubbock boy Charles Green simply must be gay. Indeed, the singer first made his mark with the dance anthem "Wear Your Pride." His holiday CD merits a permanent place in the queer disc-changer at Yuletide. "Give Your Heart Away," the lullaby "Christmas Bells," and the tender title track have the ring of seasonal standards. Charles lends a contemporary spin to the traditional "Three Kings." Yes, the peppy chorus in "Happy Christmas" is loony ("H-A-P-P-Y! I'm so happy I could fly!"). But Charles' endearing vocals make up for even that lapse. From Jalepu Music (BMI). More info: www.thechristmasdream.com. -Tim Brookover

Ann Hampton Callaway

This Christmas

This Christmas is a swinging, yet tender, musical holiday gift from a multi-talented performer that captures the essence of not only the Christmas season but also Callaway's lyric interpretations: at times spirited, then warmly evocative. If you happen to be in New York between December 17 and 22, you can catch her in person performing selections from the CD at Manhattan's Jazz Standard (116 East 27th, 212/576-2232 for reservations/more info). A reissue from N-Coded Music and After 9 Records (www.n-codedmusic.com or www.fynsworthalley.com). -TC

Jim Wilson

My First Christmas with You

Pianist Jim Wilson's My First Christmas with You is a collection that combines traditional melodies, two new tunes, and three vocal renditions (sung by Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Bishop, and Marilyn Martin-the latter dueting with Wilson). Classic Christmas tunes include instrumental versions of "O Come All Ye Faithful," "O Holy Night," "Silent Night," and "Greensleeves." The album opens with an instrumental medley of "Doxology/Little Drummer Boy." "The first is a traditional melody . . .," says Wilson, "and the second is a Christmas tune where I incorporated some subtle Native American drumming so that it takes on a new slant as you imagine an American Indian boy as the drummer." From Hillsboro (www.hillsborojazz.com). -Troy Carrington

Jacqui Naylor

"I Remember You"

Jazz vocalist and songwriter Jacqui Naylor has a natural talent. Apart from a beautiful voice, this San Francisco-based vocalist has a unique style and a distinct sound reminiscent of jazz greats from olden days. The single "I Remember You," from her upcoming CD called Soundtrack for the Soul, will be released worldwide solely to promote World AIDS Day via Naylor's Ruby Records label. Her music will no doubt draw jazz aficionados and new jazz enthusiasts alike. The CD single is available at cost (plus shipping) online (www.artistsagainstaids.com). From Ruby Records (www.jacquinaylor.com). -Andrea Rodricks

Virgo

Alpha Male

The album opens with an orchestra quietly tuning their instruments, blending into what sounds like muted applause, finally settling into a distant rainfall. That's about as subtle and restrained as this album gets. Openly gay industrial artist Virgo has worked extensively over the past two and a half years to entrench both himself and the listener in a dark, harsh world of angry, tortured vocals embedded in violent club music. It is a difficult listen, so extreme that it leaves the listener wondering in the end if there's really anything left. But perhaps that's the idea behind his music, and for that you must give him his due. He is a hard worker and very much into communicating his message, dark as it may be. With the production on this record standing out in some innovative ways, we can look forward to very interesting things from Virgo in the future. From Intraxis (www.intraxis.com). -Lance Walker

Floetry

Floetic

Floetry, according to the London-bred duo, is the fusion of soul and the spoken word. Marsha Ambrosius, "The Songstress," and Natalie Stewart, "The Floecist," are musical soulmates. Floetic is a soulful fusion of R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and reggae. The merging of these influences produces an eclectic sound all their own. Collaborating with the legendary Jeffrey "Jazzy Jeff" Townes, Floetry's debut album spotlights the strong vocals and deep soulful vibes of these neo-soul divas. From DreamWorks Records (www.dreamworksrecords.com or www.flylifemusic.com). -AR

Megan Mullally

Big as a Berry

Megan Mullally, who plays the severely egotistical Karen Walker on Will & Grace, is taking her unique voice and precision timing to the music world. For Big as a Berry, she brings grit, passion, and flair to an eclectic mix of rock, folk, blues, country, and theater music. From Lennon and McCartney's "Bathroom Window" to the Reba McIntire hit "Fancy" to Tom Waits' "Take It with Me" to Kurt Weill's "Barbara Song," Mullally's immense range shows that she's at home in any style. (Important trivia: Mullally made her film debut as a call girl in Risky Business with Tom Cruise.) From Fynsworth Alley (www.fynsworthalley.com). -TC

Gabin

Gabin

Gabin (pronounced GAAH-ban) are perhaps best known (at least in their home country of Italy) for their house track version of "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" by Duke Ellington, but their debut album boasts a much more refined sound. Bouncing back and forth between chilled-out moody lounge music and more upbeat club tracks, the duo of Filippo Clary and Max Bottini have created a soundtrack which both reflects their love of the past (they are named after '30s- and '40s-era actor Jean Gabin) and a taste for modern dance music. With Clary being one of the top DJs in Rome and Bottini having built an internationally renowned career as a jazz bassist, the results of their collaboration were bound to work out, but they credit the success of their project to having focused on making it fun. The record is fun, and a great soundtrack for all your moods. From Astralwerks (www.astralwerks.com). -LW

Christopher Wilson

East Mall Daze

This long-awaited solo debut CD, released on his independent label Cattle Call Records, features the music of singer/songwriter/guitarist Christopher Wilson. It's poetry delivered through music, backed by guitar-driven, pop/rock rhythms. This compilation of thought-provoking lyrics is reinforced by strong, emotional vocals. Wilson lives in Houston and performs regularly at area coffeehouses, cafes, and clubs. From Cattle Call Records (www.cattlecallrecords.com). -AR

Various Artists

Dance for Life

West End Records celebrates the 10th Anniversary of LIFEbeat, the music charity. A nonstop DJ mix by house music DJ David DePino, the album is a compilation of 10 remixes by some of the world's top dance-music producers including Blaze, Hex Hector, Masters at Work, Danny Tenaglia, Junior Vasquez, Timmy Regisford, Angel Moraes, Ralphi Rosario, and newcomers A Touch of Class. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to LIFEbeat and their continuing activities to spread the word about AIDS prevention. From West End Records (www.westendrecords.com). -AR

Deborah Cox

The Morning After

Whether singing her heart out on tracks like the standout pop/R&B ballad "Play Your Part" and the emotion-drenched "Hurts So Much" or riding the groove with "Up & Down (In & Out)" and "Like I Did," Deborah Cox offers her most personal work to date. Her major following in the gay community is a result of dance remixes on her previous album, and she continues on The Morning After with a bonus CD that has extended mixes of "Mr. Lonely" and "Up & Down (In & Out)" from Hex Hector, Mac Quayle, Junior Vasquez, Widelife, Johnny Vicious, and Godson. From J Records (www.jrecords.com). For more information on Deborah Cox, visit www.deborahcox.com or www.flylifemusic.com. -TC

Simian

We Are Your Friends

The title alone speaks volumes in that We Are Your Friends is an exceedingly friendly record. From the onset of the album with "La Breeze" and through into "Sunshine," these young lads from Manchester, UK, run us through 12 selections of sappy, drippy pop music bathed in brilliant, dense backing tracks reminiscent of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine record (although it could be the yellow cover that led me in that direction). Nevertheless, it is a restless record-drenched in harmonies and emotions standing on their tippy-toes for its duration. The boys barely slow down to catch their breath for "She's in Mind" but don't skip a beat in doing so and finish out the album wonderfully with "End of the Day." It's appropriate that they end with such a song because once complete, you get the feeling of having gone through an entire day with Simian. A very happy day at that. From Astralwerks (www.astralwerks.com). -LW

Miguel Migs

Colorful You

Music you can listen to and enjoy. San Francisco's Miguel Migs, a.k.a. PetalPusher, has become a top-tier DJ and remixer in the house scene maintaining his smooth, sensual, soulful sound. Migs combines many genres into his music creating sophisticated vibes. Colorful You invokes a mellow, funky, jazzy, downtempo, deep-house style. All tracks are written, produced, and arranged by Miguel Migs. From NakedMusic (www.naked-music.com or www.astralwerks.com). -AR