AS recipes for a Christmas hit single go, this goes down as one of the more offbeat ideas…
Start with a base featuring the classic appeal of the London Symphony Orchestra, work in some musical talent from the Channel Islands and garnish with a sprinkling of 1990s Manchester rave culture.
Jersey-based music teacher Adam Reece began his work on the track, Christmas Dream, with limited ambitions, but the project gained momentum, and before he knew it, the cast-list included a 50-piece orchestra, not to mention Bez from Happy Mondays.
Mr Reece, who teaches piano, musical production and songwriting at the Jersey School of Popular Music, co-wrote the song with Guernsey-based singer Emily Fern, and then turned his attention to recording it.
“At first we were going to keep it simple, recording in a small studio with an upright piano,” he said. “But then the idea grew, a brass quintet became a full orchestra, and suddenly we were chasing Studio 2 at Abbey Road Studio 2 and going after the LSO.
“That’s when the anxiety kicked in – first we had to ‘challenge’ Abbey Road for Studio 2, and then wait a week with no word.
“Once that finally came through, another week stretched ahead as we waited to see if the LSO’s diary would open up – it was a long wait.”
Drawing on a contact from his Manchester roots, Mr Reece persuaded Bez to come on board and play the triangle, alongside synth player Phil Hartnoll, who rose to fame in the 1990s as half of London-based electronic music duo Orbital.
Mr Reece said he was delighted with the end result – Christmas Dream is expected to be released in the weeks leading up to the festive season.
“This isn’t just a novelty Christmas single – it’s a full-bodied production with emotional depth, musical richness, and just enough mischief to make it unforgettable,” he said.
