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The first minute of this R&B-flavored soundtrack's title song is a little scary: Chris Brown fires off a volley of sugary, overdone melisma, and you think this may be the one of the most treacly holiday tunes ever--until the beat comes in and Brown morphs into Stevie Wonder. Phew! His tendency to over-emote flashes again on the cover of "Try a Little Tenderness," but Brown gets back on course and indicates why he's turned into a genuine R&B hopeful. On the other hand, American Idol (and new Brown label-mate) winner Jordin Sparks' take on "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is undermined by the cheap synths in the background. Sparks makes less of an impression than another newcomer, Lina, an L.A. singer who got less media coverage but whose jazzy "Santa Baby" is a lot of fun. Still, the young 'uns have a way to go before they get close to the awesome power of the trifecta of soul/R&B greats (Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross) that makes up the core of the CD. --Elisabeth Vincentelli