Joy of sets for the holidays

but bursting with musts for Michael fans, this two-disc set combines the singer's boldest album with a dynamic acoustic concert. If you quit him after “Faith,” tsk tsk. “Prejudice” equals Michael's signature release in terms of passion, personality and bare honesty. The MTV session features heartbreaking tenderness (Bonnie Raitt's “I Can't Make You Love Me”) and fun, funky jams (“Star People”). But the treasure is the new single “Fantasy.” A Nile Rodgers production, the dance floor groove should have been Michael's comeback track. Instead, it became his swan song.

“Diamonds,” Elton John

Elton John has 33 studio albums. You don't need them all. (Don't argue, we all know nobody needs 1979's “Victim of Love.”) But, if you're going to start on your Sir Elton collection, start with the three-disc edition of “Diamonds.” Yup, this is another greatest hits package, but no other set represents his career as well. There are hits even fans forgot (“Blue Eyes”), true rarities (“Mama Can't Buy You Love” from the Thom Bell sessions), late career gems (“This Train Don't Stop There Anymore”). Start with these three CDs, then buy a turntable and find a $1 scratched copy of “Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player.”