With all the compilations out, it must be . . . Christmas

SINGLES

CELINE DION, GOODBYE IS THE SADDEST WORD, Out now, Sony

A LOVE ballad with Celine Dion's incredible voice can't fail to do well.

Written by the legendary Mutt Lange (Mrs Shania Twain), there's no surprise there is a Shania feel to parts of this sincere love song.

Very good.

Enrique Iglesias - Maybe (Out now, Polydor)

A YEAR is a long time in the music business, but what a year it's been for Enrique. With six million albums sold, a beautiful teenage tennis sensation he's not seeing, a defining sound and decent ballads like this, 2003 could be even better. Maybe.

Jennifer Lopez - Jenny From The Block (Out now, Epic)

WHEN someone says they haven't let fame and fortune go to their head, I get the extra-wide shovel out and head for the salt pile. So when this track comes out with lines like: "I'm still Jenny from the block, I used to have a little now I have a lot," I'll probably sling more salt than the gritters at Christmas. The song itself bears all the J-Lo trademarks, but -- call me cynical -- it feels like we are having our noses rubbed in it.

**

Beverley Knight - Shape Of You -- Reshaped (Out now, Parlophone)

A CHANCE meeting with ex-Fugee Wyclef Jean at the summer's Party in the Park has led to a very good remix of Shape of you. Gone is the sincere ballad feel. Instead, we have a hip-hop party flavour with Wyclef's unique style, and Bev's phenominal voice. Nice one.

Beverley Knight plays Manchester Academy on December 9.

DAWN OF THE REPLICANTS, ROCKERFELLAR CENTRE, 1932, Out now, Flying Sparks

AMERICAN rock sound with a strong message is the best way to describe Dawn of the Replicants' latest offering.

It is a lot like Ryan Adams's New York New York, dedicated to those killed in the Twin Towers attack. Featuring another New York landmark, we are warned of the dangers of becoming preoccupied with something. Here we have the building of the Rockerfellar Centre, streching more and more towards the sky each day. But, if we never see our wives again, it doesn't matter -- we are building the Rockerfellar Centre!

A point well made to us workaholics.

GORDON HASKELL, WHOLE WIDE WORLD, Out now, Flying Sparks

THERE'S a certain appeal to a Gordon Haskell record that you just can't explain.

In the league table of trendiness, he's probably down in the relegation zone with Hear'say, but his soothing, honest and feel-good tracks always leave you wanting more.

Keep 'em coming.

RONAN KEATING, WE'VE GOT TONIGHT, Out now, Mercury

IF in doubt, drag Lulu out seems to be popular formula these days, whether it's the National Lottery, or Ronan's cover version of Bob Seger's 1979 track.

It's a sincere love song, with both Ronan and Lulu turning in good performances. I wouldn't buy it on its own, but worth a listen on the number one album, Destination.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, 8 MILE, Out now, Shady Records

AS a soundtrack to Eminem's film, 8 Mile, there are no surprises here -- plenty of rap and bad language by the truck load.

The highlight is Slim Shady's Lose yourself, which has a Foo Fighters air to it as we hear music elevates people out of the monotony of everyday life. You only have one shot, so don't miss your chance to excape, in this case, from abuse and trailer parks.

Other artists include D12, Obie Trice, Rakim, and Jay-z, with an unexpected appearance from Macy Gray.

In some cases, the soundtrack is as biographical as the film, and a must for all Eminem fans.

LIONEL RICHIE, ENCORE, Out now, Mercury

THE cataloge of fantastic Lionel Richie songs is as long as your arm.

But not only are they gathered here on one album, these are the fabulous live versions that take things to another level.

There is the excellent Hello, the Commodore hit Easy, plus Stuck on you, Three times a lady, and Say you, say me, all performed to perfection. And, unlike a lot of artists, Lionel has no trouble communicating with the crowd between hits, which adds to the experience.

There are two new studio tracks -- the balladGoodbye, and To love a woman, featuring Enrique Iglesias, which has more of a pop feel to it.

Phenominally excellent.

SUM 41, DOES THIS LOOK INFECTED?, Out now, Mercury

HARD rock meets intelligent comedians just about sums this lot up.

Like The offspring and Puddle of Mudd, we find wit and intelligent comment in tracks like The hell song, which tells us everyone has problems, it is how you deal with them that matters.

Over my head is a sarcastic offering about being better off dead than not understanding something, and the current single, Still waiting, is a tribute to those who are still waiting for an end to hate and violence.

The special edition also features a documentary DVD and the videos to Fat lip and In too deep.

Not bad.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, THE BEST CHRISTMAS ALBUM IN THE WORLD . . . EVER!, Out now, EMI/Virgin

THIS doesn't do exactly what it says on the tin -- it's original form of a couple of years ago is much better.

All the usual suspects are here: Slade's Merry Christmas everybody; Wizzard's I wish it could be Christmas everyday; Bandaid's Do they know it's Christmas; Bing Crosby's White Christmas and Dean Martin's Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

But the Spice girls' Sleigh ride? Robbie Williams with Angels? Please.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, NOW! THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM. Out now, Virgin

THIS is basically the same as The best Christmas album in the world . . . ever!, with a different running order, and a less Christmassy cover.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, NOW! 53, Out now, EMI/Virgin

THE last offering from the Now! stable has a lot going for it.

We have DJ Sammy & Yanou featuring Do's dance version of Bryan Adams's Heaven; Las Ketchup Asereje (The Ketchup song); Sugababes Round round; Atomic Kitten The tide is high; Oasis Little by little, U2's fantastic Electrical storm, and Britney Spears's excellent cover of I love rock 'n' roll.

The Now! series went through a rocky patch in the late 1990s but has recovered well.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, I LOVE TO PARTY 2003, Out now, EMI/Virgin

AS Pink would say, let's get the party started!

Robbie Williams Rock DJ; Queen I want to break free; Wham Wake me up before you go go; VIllage People YMCA and Hot Chocolate