Marleena Barber – Once Upon a December – Album Review

Marleena Barber’s debut album Once Upon A December is gearing up to drop on December 1st. And if you’re seeking a fresh, festive groove to plunge you deep into the seasonal spirit, you need look no further – this 10 track album collects all the Christmas classics you’ll be craving, rearranged by Edward Sywulka, and beautifully reimagined under Marleena’s rare and intriguing light.

It all kicks off with a cover of “White Christmas.” Bouncy and upbeat, old school American jazz interweaves with swing to craft an instantly retro and glamorously festive aura, Marleena’s sweet and glassy vocals falling like snowflakes over her soft, gleaming soundscape.

Title track, “Once Upon A December,” takes a gothic turn; hauntingly magical and almost melancholic, yet plush with magic and wonder. “Little Drummer Boy” sees the Bowie/Crosby hit revitalised with a walking bassline, Marleena’s vocals tracing the line between modern Broadway star and 1950s show-stealer.

In the midst of her Christmas classics, Marleena spreads her wings, covering a piece for friends of Jewish faith entitled “Hannukkah’s Child.” And, just in case the record wasn’t inclusive enough, Marleena braves a Mariah Carey cover for the younger pop nerds amongst her audience, the infamous “All I Want For Christmas Is You” – her sparkling, lightweight jazz rendition offering a blessed break from the abrasively overplayed original.

Now, most festive music uses nostalgia as a centrepiece. But Marleena Barber takes festive family nature to a whole new level: inviting Latin undertones into the mix to reflect and honour the Cuban heritage of her late grandmother. But that’s not all. Marleena actually returned to her roots in Whittier, CA to collab with her former college professor, the Grammy Award-winning producer Danilo Lozano, as well as the Emmy Award-winning engineer Cesar Mejia.

And, as if that still wasn’t enough to spur a living flashback, Marleena’s two daughters, aged 11 and 14, make a special cameo on “Angels We Have Heard On High (Gloria),” promising some of the most wholesome festive fun on the record.

Still not sold? Let’s uncover a little info about the fascinating lady behind this project. Marleena, declared legally blind due to her albinism, found both solace and power through music and performance, creating a one-woman cabaret show about her life experiences, shining focus on story-telling. Her debut Christmas album weaves the magic of vintage-inspired performance with a uniquely optimistic edge; a true testament to her resilience and authenticity.

Our verdict? Highly recommended.

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BELOW: Listen to Marleena Barber and check out her music on Soundcloud, Spotify and more. Please support Marleena Barber by visiting her website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing her music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.