Soul Christmas

Editors’ Notes Christmas doesn’t get more soulful than this collection of tunes dominated by R&B titans from the Stax/Atlantic roster of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Some ease into their celebrations of the season, like Otis Redding in his gently pleading “White Christmas,” and some tear the place down, like Clarence Carter with his roaring, stomping “Back Door Santa.” But it’s hard to imagine old Saint Nick ever getting a theme song as slinky, supple, and soul-slathered as “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Booker T. & The M.G.’s.