The addition of the vibrant voices of a South African children's choir and the unmistakable sound of authentic African percussion on a new recorded version of tenor singer Brian Rodford's "African Christmas" gives new life to this modern holiday masterpiece. This brand new recording, which features tracks in two native African languages as well as English, will be available from JPMC Records in early November 2006, just in time for the holiday season.

On this new recording, the Livingston High School choir backs Mr. Rodford's lead voice perfectly, giving the song an air of playfulness and energy that only a perfectly tuned children's choir like this one could add. South African musicians Vuyo Katsha, Thamsanqa Swaarbooi, and Jerome Ftengile on marimbas and Zwai Mvimbi on hand drums round out the new ensemble, giving it a truly genuine African feel. The beautiful, complex rhythmic interplay between the four percussionists is a true highlight of the CD.

This brand new CD features the unique Christmas song in three different languages, including English and the native African languages of Xhosa and Zulu. The Zulu version is called "Ukhismuz e-Africa" and the Xhosa version is called "Ikrismes Yasa Afrika." The CD also features a bonus sing-a-long version on which you can step in and sing the lead with the Livingston Children's Choir and the percussion ensemble backing you.