September 26, 2008

By By Gail Mitchell, L.A.

-Singer Howard Hewett is releasing a holiday album through Koch-distributed Groove Records: the aptly titled ?Christmas? (Oct. 14).

George Duke produced and co-wrote the original tune ?That?s Christmas? with Hewett, as well as produced ?O Come All Ye Faithful.? Additional producers include Earth, Wind & Fire?s Ralph Johnson and Monty Seward. Guests include Stevie Wonder, who
provides a harmonica solo on ?The Christmas Song? and Latina artist Jaselle, who does a bilingual duet with Howard on ?Baby, It?s Cold Outside.?

Hewett joins a growing list of R&B acts issuing holiday albums this year, including Rahsaan Patterson, Al Jarreau and Aretha Franklin.

-Speaking of Christmas, The Whispers are issuing the DVD "Christmas With the Whispers" on Oct. 14. A joint venture between The Whispers' Satin Tie label and Las Vegas-based Odds On Records, the DVD is being distributed by Koch Entertainment. Holiday standards and original songs comprise the HD-shot DVD, which also features interviews with the group members and fans.

The Whispers were recently honored at the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Awards.

-The release date for Avant?s self-titled new album is now set for Dec. 9. The project marks the singer/songwriter?s first for Capitol Records
(billboard.biz, Sept. 10).

-Syleena Johnson?s new album, ?Chapter 4: Labor Pains? has now been
rescheduled for release Jan. 13, 2009. The album, her first after a
four-year hiatus, is on Johnson?s own label Aneelys Records (Syleena spelled backwards) and distributed by Federal Universal Music Group.

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