As the year comes to an end, the holidays are a beautiful reminder of time spent with special people and the magical memories that await ahead.
For his first solo debut album, 4x GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, and creator James Fauntleroy, is setting the mood for a grown and sexy holiday season.
The Warmest Winter Ever is a collection of songs released from 2014 until present, exploring themes of romance across 25 tracks. On Wednesday, Dec. 6, Fauntleroy and Platoon, hosted a holiday party at The Sun Rose at the Pendry in West Hollywood to celebrate the release of his anticipated Christmas album.
To complement the music, the atmosphere at the Sun Rose could be described as both cool and warm. The warmth of the lighting and live band, mixed with the cool guests that moved throughout the room, created an intimate vibe only meant to be experienced. Upon its announcement, The Warmest Winter Ever was heralded by Billboard as “filled to the brim with jaw-dropping harmonies and hilariously sultry wordplay.”
Related Links:
James Fauntleroy is an Enigmatic Artisan Redefining R&B’s Creative Landscape | News | BET
James Fauntleroy Talks Debut Studio Album: ‘Time to Take a Step Out’ (people.com)
James Fauntleroy Drops ‘The Warmest Winter Ever’ | Hypebeast
Fauntleroy’s playful personality made an appearance during his performance with a Coming to America reference, calling his band “Sexy Christmas,” coining the phrase he uses to describe the project. Fauntleroy’s voice is truly one of a kind. His cadence, lyrics, and musical range deserved every cheer and holler during the holiday event.
When asked about his inspiration for this album, Fauntleroy said, “Honestly, women. Women are the reason this album was made. Everyone has had a woman in their life that they’ve loved, that’s the best gift you can get and give. I wanted to make this slow-jam tribute to women on Christmas, specifically Black women. The original idea for this Christmas project was Luther Vandross’ Christmas songs.”
Recently, Fauntleroy received his seventh GRAMMY® Award nomination (and his first as an artist) under the for Best Progressive R&B Album category for Nova, his collaborative album with producer/ jazz impresario Terrace Martin. He continues to stake his claim as a powerhouse musician and creator with his delicate, yet unique, voice and melodies. Calling himself the “millennium Luther,” Fauntleroy has set the tone for a new and refreshed way to listen to Christmas music.
While reminiscing on his favorite Christmas gift, Fauntleroy shared that his mother always made the holidays special. “As a kid I had one of my favorite Christmas’ my mom admitted to me that was her brokest Christmas. She went to Pic N’ Save with $20 and bought a whole set of random toys and I never forgot that.” Recognizing Black women as the muse for this project, Fauntleroy has not been shy nor reserved about his love and admiration.
The Christmas magic presented in The Warmest Winter Ever encourages listeners to prioritize laying up and getting cozy. With future holiday staples that can be enjoyed year-round, day one fans can enjoy their favorite tracks, previously only available on Soundcloud, on all streaming platforms with nine brand new songs. Newly converted fans can also enjoy his music catalogue with these newest additions.
Enjoy The Warmest Winter Ever on all streaming platforms now.
