There are a lot of unique ways to experience Christmas Break: Relaxing Jazz For The Holidays, a specially priced 12-song collection that Telarc originally released in 2006 as the latest installment of its ongoing, relaxation minded Breathe series.

Try it as pleasant background music at your holiday dinner and see if those relatives who insisted they don't like jazz don't start tapping their toes as Gerry Mulligan and Dave Brubeck groove easily on "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" or sway along as Oscar Peterson seduces softly with "White Christmas" and "Christmas Waltz." The disc, mostly featuring sessions from the '90s that originally appeared on albums by the showcased artists, works nicely as a stress-buster, too.

That yuletide overdrive -- which this year, could mean anything from decorating the tree with Obama souvenir ornaments to fighting crowds while shopping on a definite budget -- may overwhelm, but fear not. Good tidings are headed your way via Brubeck's elegant "Silent Night," Al Di Meola's gentle "Ave Maria" and Mel Tormé's dreamy "Christmastime is Here."

While the non-jazz fan will enjoy the set's low key charms, more serious jazzers will relish these classic takes by some of our dearly departed legends Peterson, Mulligan, Tormé and Ray Brown, and others like Brubeck and George Shearing who are aging ever so gracefully. Equally engaging are vocalist Jeanie Bryson (who duets with pianist Kenny Barron) and acoustic guitarist Jim Hall. So kick back, drink some egg nog, sneak a bite of gingerbread, chill and enjoy.

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