Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas represents a later-period entry in the Four Tops' discography, originally recorded in the mid-1990s and seeing various reissues, including the 2009 digital and CD release. While the group is synonymous with the high-energy 'Motown Sound,' this album finds them in a much more contemplative and smooth R&B mode. The recording features the classic lineup's signature vocal blend but adapts it to the polished production standards of the era. Notably, the album includes an ambitious, nearly eight-minute version of 'The Little Drummer Boy,' which stands as one of the most unique soul interpretations of the carol. Critically, it is viewed as a solid, professional holiday offering that showcases the enduring power of Levi Stubbs' voice even as the arrangements moved toward a more contemporary, adult-oriented soul sound. It serves as a testament to the group's versatility beyond the dance floor.