It can be hard to find good, local Christmas music, but this week, the group Spellbound has made a spectacular contribution to the availability of locally-produced CDs with its just-released album, 'Silent Night.'

Playing together for the past seven years, Spellbound incorporates years of professional musical experience through the combined talents of Roy Richardson, Gary Bean, George Simons and Calvin Simons.

The foursome was not unknown to each other before they started playing together. Both Mr. Bean and George Simons were part of the group Formula Three for several years, while Calvin Simons and Mr. Richardson performed with Brown Sugar.

Brown Sugar had, in fact, followed the hotel circuit, both in and outside of Bermuda, for more than a decade, and had an opportunity to perform with the Sammy Davis Jr. Band in Naples, Florida. Formula Three had even greater musical notoriety, appearing with the Stylistics and the Manhattans on the Jerry Blevitz Show, and in several international shows at the Rosebank Theatre. Also, they nearly landed a recording contract with Avco/Embassy.

Unfortunately, the music scene in Bermuda is changing.

"Venues are just not there any more," Calvin Simons said. "You could say that has put us at a bit of a disadvantage, but we keep plugging on."

All four members pursue regular employment outside of playing and rehearsal hours. Roy Richardson is a news reader and announcer on FM98.1 K-Jazz; Calvin Simons as an electrician, builder and developer; George Simons is a senior environmental health officer; and Gary Bean is both a master carpenter and a talented saw player.

"Our goal is to encourage other small groups," Calvin Simons said. "There are some young kids who have a lot of talent, but not a lot of experience."

"I was quite impressed with what I heard at Bermuda Idol," said Gary Bean.

The group really hopes to use its experience to help build up young musicians and hopefully, some day, return Bermuda to its glorious musical past.

"We're not shallow ponds, we're deep wells," Mr. Richardson said.

The most important piece of advice he has for young people is, "Don't listen to your mommy and daddy and your cousins, because they love you!"

While the advice is tongue-in-cheek, it is important for young people to hear constructive criticism in order to improve their abilities, as opposed to just the praise of friends and family who love them no matter what they do or how they sound.

As a group, Spellbound rehearses several times a week, and had the privilege of opening for Al Greene at the Bermuda Music Festival in 2005.

"I had always wanted to sing with Gary and George," Roy Richardson said.

"We really enjoy each other," Calvin Simons added.

The new album, 'Silent Night,' was initially intended to be a single, but grew into a mini-album with five songs.

"We're testing the waters with it," Mr. Bean said. "We are all very proud of the outcome."

The album was produced by Just Platinum, with John Woolridge producing and arranging the tracks, and Steve Easton mastering them.

"John did some very interesting arrangements of traditional songs that stretched us vocally," Calvin Simons said.

The pieces blend beautifully traditional R&B harmonies, leaving the listener with a feeling reminiscent of the sounds of the early 1960s. 'Silent Night' is now available in music stores.