There's nothing conventional about Rahsaan Patterson. The one-time 'Kids Incorporated' star turned soul wunderkind has always shunned being defined by categories and taking the conformist approach to music. So it's no wonder that 34-year-old's first holiday album, 'The Ultimate Gift' (Artistry Music) isn't your traditional holiday CD. Instead of presenting the expected – you know, Nat King Cole's 'The Christmas Song' and The Temptations' 'Silent Night' – Patterson serves a marriage of psychedelic soul and authentic R&B offerings with his original Christmas tunes.


On songs like 'Holiday,' 'This Is The Season,' 'Peace and Joy,' 'That First Christmas' 'Angels' and the title track; Patterson, who has penned hits for the likes of Brandy, Tevin Campbell, Lalah Hathaway, Shanice and Ray J shows off his writing ability on those fresh holiday numbers.

The New York City native, who now resides in Los Angeles, puts his funky stamp on classics like 'Little Drummer Boy' and 'What Christmas Means To Me,' and even delivers an interpretation of Paul McCartney's 'Wonderful Christmastime.'
The track 'Christmas At My House' may be familiar to some, as the tune was first introduced in 1999 on the MCA Records compilation 'My Christmas Album' that featured Patti LaBelle, Avant, Chante Moore, K-Ci & JoJo and others.
Patterson's revamped version of the song has more of an 80's dance feel to it and by the end evolves into a club-ready dance track.

The holiday disc is capped off by original cover art adapted by a painting of Patterson by artist Paul Moschell.
To promote 'The Ultimate Gift,' Patterson recently spent several days in Dallas, Texas.
He appeared on syndicated radio shows like the 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' and 'The Ride with Doug and DeDe' while in the market, and even participated in the Radio One Holiday Toy Drive with KBFM The Beat and 94.5 K Soul.
Radio talent DeDe McGuire hosted a spectacular Christmas party for the singer at her Plato, Texas home, where a who's who of Dallas tastemakers and radio professionals came out to party and dine on a delectable meal made by Chef Yaga.


The singer, who recently won a BET J Virtual Award for "Best Underground Artist," even stopped into Dallas' Prophet Bar and joined in with a local band to perform a couple of his songs.
Patterson's 'The Ultimate Gift' is in stores now. Be sure to add it to your holiday music collection.