This is the sixth of the Jamaica Observer’s daily series, 12 day of Chrismus. The series ends on Christmas Day.

REGGAE singer Jacob Miller was in high spirits when he and his Inner Circle band decided to put a spin on several age-old Christmas classics in 1978.

The popular set, Natty Christmas, was recorded at Joe Gibbs’ studio on Brentford Road in Kingston. The album includes On The Twelfth Day of Ismas, All I Want for Ismas, Silver Bells (Natty No Santa Claus), Wishing You a Merry Christmas/Amheric Temple.

Ian Lewis, co-founder and bass player of Inner Circle, remembers the mood during the recording sessions.

“It was a happy vibes. Everybody was laughing. It was a happy time. We jus’ ‘bend up’ some of the Christmas lyrics and use the same melody,” Lewis told Splash.

Lewis’s older brother, Roger, who plays guitar, also worked on the project. So did Inner Circle colleague Ian ‘Touter’ Harvey (keyboards). Errol Thompson was the engineer.

Roger Lewis also shared his memory of the recording.

“Every one was singing the Christmas carols straight, but we bring in a comical vibes with Jacob. And even though they were comical, they had in social truths,” said Lewis.

He said the Natty Christmas was not only a massive hit in Jamaica, but in North America as well.

It was with Inner Circle that Miller recorded some of his most famous songs such as Tenement Yard, Tired Fi Lick Weed In a Bush, and All Night ‘Til Daylight.

According to Lewis, Miller went on a promotional tour to Brazil with Bob Marley and Island Records boss Chris Blackwell in early1980. He returned to Jamaica in March and was expected to join Inner Circle in the Bahamas where they were recording an album for Island.

Miller died in a motor accident in March 1980 at age 27.

The album is listed at number 23 on Rolling Stone’s 25 Greatest Christmas Albums of All Time.

“When something is good, it lasts,” Lewis added.

After Miller’s death, the Lewis brothers relocated to Florida. They had a massive comeback in 1994 with the album, Bad Boys, which included the hit song of the same name, as well as Sweat (A La La La La Long), a summer smash that year.

That album won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1995. Inner Circle’s last album, State of Da World, was released in 2009.