Inspired by Dr. J’s 12 Days of Christmas Music, Confucius says: here’s twelve albums of Christmas music from the past dozen or so years that are worth your while (and money). Of course, this will only bring us to the twenty-fourth, so you’re on your own for the actual Twelve Days of Christmas unless we get any more bright ideas. That said, we figure you’ll probably want to be left alone to deal with all the treed fowl, leaping lords, etc., that tend to fill up that period.

Dave’s True Story — A Dave’s True Story Christmas, A Dave’s True Story Christmas II

Dave’s True Story, a brilliant NYC jazz trio currently on indefinite hiatus, released two EPs of Christmas classics which they inflect with their sharp wit, slick chops, and Kelly Flint’s amazing voice. On the first EP, Flint does “Winter Wonderland” with crystalline clarity and smooth soulfulness—both, Confucius kids you not. It’s perfect.

“Let It Snow” really swings, but the backup singers are a little too-too for your Œc. Vol., who’s sure they’re nostalgironic or something, but he’d just as soon a little simpler arrangement. The same is true for “White Christmas” on the second EP. It’s a terrific cover, but the kooky backup vocals distract a simple immortal sorceror like Confucius. “The Christmas Song” is a cheerful bop through Nat King Cole’s backyard. “This Christmas” is a sultry, torchy, sexy…Christmas song? Indeed.

They aren’t available on Amazon, but you can get ’em as one album right here. Or here on iTunes. While you’re there, scroll up and buy, “I’ll Never Read Trollope Again.” It’s the DTS gateway drug. You’ll buy Sex Without Bodies right then and there, and it’s pretty much a straight line to owning their whole catalog. Buy away…yours might be the purchase that convinces them to come back.

Confucius, Œc. Vol.

Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu.