Album: Nils Landgren, Christmas with my Friends II, (ACT)

A second volume of cuddlesome Xmas fare from the Swedish trombonist. Vol 1 was a joy because it balanced churchiness nicely against homeliness, and contrived to articulate the natal soulfulness that unites the two at this time of year.

Vol II is less churchy, and it misses the trombone choir which lifted its predecessor to sniffly heights (Jonas Knutsson's saxes are all over this one), but the soulful integrity remains. A slow, gentle, emotionally open experience. Not for the cynical.

Pick of the Album: 'Maria Gar I Tornesar': folk carol with trombone, sax and kantele