Shawn Antoine and Sabree present 'Island Wonderland'

The claim that local acts are not contributing to the Jamaican Christmas music library no longer rings entirely true, considering the recent release of Shawn Antoine's acoustic music video for Island Wonderland featuring Sabree. This take on the popular Christmas song Winter Wonderland, flips the lyrics away from snowy imagery into the tropics, opening with the familiar sunny melody from Bobby McFerrin's Don't Worry Be Happy and following through with a real reggae vibe. 

Produced by Frankie Music, Island Wonderland is one of three Christmas songs from Shawn Antoine, who ventured into the festivities out of a genuine love for the season. "I love classical and Christmas songs, and we don't hear much Jamaican Christmas songs anymore. So I thought this would make a change," Shawn told The Gleaner. 

The other songs Shawn recorded are Only This Time of Year, a reflective piano-and-voice song about family gatherings and other such seasonal things, and a reggae cover of the modern classic, This Christmas, which the singer reports has been enjoying regular play all across the globe. "It gets a lot of plays around the world. I think it's because people compare it to Chris Brown's version," Shawn shared.

In addition to the songs, Frankie and Shawn also dedicated some 'versions'. Listeners can enjoy a studio-recorded version of Island Wonderland, the live-recorded acoustic version or an upcoming a capella version. 

The Grammy-nominated producer (Raggamuffin by Koffee) explained, why they have put this amount of energy into the Yuletide season. "The Christmas that we knew, that we see on TV is not around anymore, but I think it’s one of the best times in the year. What we are trying to do is maintain that island Christmas. It doesn’t have to be that white Christmas. You make it your Christmas, anywhere you are in the world. We’re giving an island vibe package, and we hope that they hear it and it gets played."

Shawn would like if more young reggae and dancehall acts would take on the Christmas challenge and add their festive twists to the local musical library. But he acknowledges that some artistes won't invest the time, because the season is shortlived.