Dan Blanchard and seven guest musicians take the listener down a pathway that is both utterly familiar yet also bracingly new on The Spirit of Christmas as he fuses the much beloved melodies of traditional carols such as “Jingle Bells,” “We Three Kings,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” with a healthy dose of Indian fusion influences. Featuring an assortment of instruments from both Indian and Western cultures, The Spirit of Christmas reveals that the musical treats of the noted holiday hold truly universal appeal as Blanchard and company imbue a festive and exotic flavor into the time-tested carols. Occasionally embellished with original arrangements to more fully incoporate the Indian music elements, yet always instantly recognizable, the twelve classics will make a great addition to any holiday music fan’s collection and your in-studio phones are almost certain to light up during airplay.