A late release for Christmas, but nevertheless still making its way through the 12 days of Christmas. Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Lowland and Michelle Williams are the names behind the band that’s known as Destiny’s Child, until they disbanded and Beyonce went on a solo career.

Their first ever Christmas offering, has some good harmonies with each singing lead, adding fuel to their sound. ‘8 Days of Christmas’ brings forth a unique showcase of the trio’s various vocal gifts in perfect R & B style. From the sweet mellifluous beauty of the traditional Christmas songs like 8 Days of Christmas, Silent Night, Do you hear what I hear, White Christmas, O Holy Night, to some of their own versions of the yuletide celebrations like A ‘DC’ Christmas Medley that has a mixture of traditional fare, Platinum Bells or even the very emotional Spread a little love on Christmas Day, this is a pure Destiny’s Child Christmas party.

The band also rope in Solange (Beyonce’s kid sister) in a fairly reworked version of Little Drummer Boy that has been changed drastically. The trio brings out the message of Christmas through their ditto variable high-pitched voices, keeping solemnity intact, paying respect to the little baby Jesus.

But party people beware, there are no dance floor pieces here, compared to their spicy album hits. A listen to the album will immediately reveal a lot of a cappella pieces like Silent Night, O Holy Night, Opera of the Bells all laced with a lot of gospel feelings throughout.

If you’re the one who’s looking for Santa Claus, he’s nowhere on this album. So stay away. But if you’re a diehard DC fan and want to know more about what they’ve cooked up on their Christmas album, then go ahead and pick this up.

Alternatively, if you need something spunky and funky, to blow those speakers and have a blast, then write this off your shopping list.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira