Collectables Records' various-artists compilation The Ultimate Christmas Album has been released both on its own and as a tie-in with a series of radio stations. There are identical editions of the album associated with KLUV, K-Earth 101 FM, and WCBS FM-101.1 in addition to this version, WJMK 104.3 Chicago. The word "ultimate" has been overused and misused in record releases to the point that it doesn't mean very much to see it on the cover of an album. Whether or not one considers this album to justify its title will have a lot to do with individual musical taste. If the potential consumer is a listener to one of the radio stations listed above, which are oldies stations devoted to playing pop/rock music of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, he or she may agree that the album is the ultimate in holiday music of that period.

It's no understatement to call Elvis Presley the chief catalyst of the rock 'n' roll era. Presley earned his nickname ''The King'' by releasing dozens of course-altering singles over the course of his influential career. During the 1950s, Presley's records spent a collective 53 weeks in the No.1 chart position. On 24 Karat Hits, two dozen of the King's greatest recordings have been painstakingly compiled using the original 1, 2 and 3-track tapes. All the hits are here from Heartbreak Hotel to Suspicious Minds. Elvis as weve never heard him before.

This Japanese collection features mostly early Cliff Richard hits, beginning with his first, "Move It," which was released in 1958, through his so-called comeback years in the late 1970s, including his only U.S. hit, 1976's "Devil Woman."

Snapper's Hello Mary Lou spotlights Ricky Nelson's hits recorded in the '50s and '60s including "Travelin' Man," "Stood Up," "Poor Little Fool," and " Hello Mary Lou." While this set isn't bad for casual listeners, the better choice is Greatest Hits on Capitol, as it includes "Garden Party" and other favorites not included on this compilation.