Holiday songs lend themselves nicely to jazz arrangements in the hands of innovative guitarist John Basile. The New York musician uses Midi guitar programming to give the project a pleasing ensemble sound full of layered textures. Basile’s finger-style guitar technique allows him to articulate his musical ideas with clarity, precision and proficiency.  Besides being an impeccable player, Basile uses current technology to take a song like “Silver Bells” and give it new creative focus with melody, harmony, improvisation and rhythm. His song selection is fairly standard with classic carols and songs like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Silent Night,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and “Christmas Time is Here,” but his explorations, fluidity and overall skills give the songs new meaning. His own composition, “Lulladay,” is gentle and reflective. While Basile also works in the medical field and is a professional boxing judge, this expressive, satisfying album is one example of his welcome and valued presence in the New York jazz scene.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)