If your holiday musical tastes have evolved from the limitations of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”, these releases will help you refine your ears and look cool in front of your guests.

Trio West- Trio West Plays Holiday Songs, Vol. 2 (Yummyhouse Records)
The second volume from native New Yorkers Tobias Gelb (drummer), Neal Miner (bassist), and Eldad Zvulun(pianist, originally from Israel). This eleven song collection of classic Christmas carols, all under four minutes, is ideal if you can handle holiday cheer in small doses. The arrangements are upbeat and frequently pop with a Latin tinge.

Ike Sturm-Jazz Mass
Those familiar with Saint Peter’s Church in midtown and their Jazz Ministry know bassist Sturm as the Musical Director. He was commissioned to develop a mass for choir, strings and septet. The recording, not surprisingly, is spiritually inspired. Featuring, but not limited to the talents of Ryan Ferreira, Loren Stillman, Ted Poor and Donny McCaslin, it may encourage you to give church another shot.

Monika Herzig- Peace On Earth (Owl Studios)
The traditional tracks are predictable and safe, which works when the out of town folks need relief from your New York hipness. The original tracks, written by Herzig, seem more accessible and easy. Your cool factor is intact while keeping holiday familiarity close to home.

David Solid Gould and the Temple Rockers- Feast of the Passover (Tzadik Records)
Okay, so technically, this CD doesn’t cover Christmas, Hannukah, or even Kwanzaa. However, its making is one of the most original stories you’ll hear in a while. Gould, former bassist for New England reggae band, John Brown’s Body, blended the Hebrew melodies from his childhood with reggae and formed The Temple Rockers (originally named Adonai and I.) Earlier this year he traveled to Jamaica, teaching reggae legends Leonard ‘Sparrow’ Dillon (of The Ethiopians) and The Silvertones to sing in Hebrew. The final result is a worthy gift for at least one of the forthcoming evenings in the Festival of Lights.

The release performance of Feast of the Passover will be at DROM, December 12. Visit the club’s website for more information.