Christmas Gift Guide: For Your Sister

Craig David: 'Trust Me' album
With 13 million album sales worldwide and still only 26 years old, Craig David has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s foremost talents, as well as one of the nation’s most successful musical exports. He’s now poised to return with his new album on November 12th, already being heralded as his finest since the 2000 debut set ‘Born To Do It’. ‘Trust Me’ will be previewed by the release of the single ‘Hot Stuff (Let’s Dance)’, which combines Craig David’s inimitable vocal gift with irresistible funk-infused beats and a sample of David Bowie’s classic track ‘Let’s Dance’.

MIA: 'Kala' album
“I can’t drive,” M.I.A. says flatly. “So I love cars.” She’s matter-of-fact, answering an obvious question about the possible threads running through the high-octane fumes and sour diesel smoke of her new album KALA, which opens with the roadway rush of “Bamboo Banga”. But because this woman is an uncanny combination of street style and political substance, making music about wanting what you can’t have and trying to work with what you haven’t got. "This isn’t a break-up album,” she says. “It’s a wake up album.” Out now on XL Recordings.
See what position the album is in our Top 100 Albums Of 2007.

2Pac: 'The Best Of 2Pac Vol.1: Thug' album
Thug features the previously unreleased “Resist the Temptation” and a fresh mix of “Dear Mama,” featuring Anthony Hamilton, whose original Grammy-nominated version went Platinum and charted Top 10 Pop and #1 Rap. Also included are “Trapped” (2PAC’s debut single), the Grammy-nominated “California Love” (with Dr. Dre), the double Platinum, #1 Pop/#1 Rap, Grammy-nominated “How Do U Want It” with K-CI & JoJo, and Top 10 Rap “So Many Tears.” The remaining tracks are “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted,” “I Ain’t Mad At Cha,” “Hail Mary,” “Changes,” and “Unconditional Love.” Released on 3rd December 2007 by Amaru Entertainment/Interscope/UMe.

2Pac: 'The Best Of 2Pac Vol.2: Life' album
Life highlights the previously unreleased recording of “Dopefiend’s Diner” featuring 2PAC using a vocal sample of the melody line of “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega in addition to the acoustic remix of “Thugz Mansion” featuring all three verses by 2PAC. The album also brings together the Top 5 Rap “Brenda’s Got a Baby” and Gold, Top 15 Pop/#2 Rap “Keep Ya Head Up.” The tracklisting adds “Definition of a Thug Nigga,” “When I Get Free,” “Until the End of Time” (RP Remix), “Never Call You Bitch Again,” “They Don’t Give a Fuck About Us,” “Still Ballin” (Nitty Remix) and “Ghetto Gospel.” Released on 3rd December 2007 by Amaru Entertainment/Interscope/UMe.

David Guetta: 'Pop Life' album
The 14 tracks on ‘Pop Life’ manage to pull off the rare trick of moving hearts and minds on the dancefloor and the Top 40. ‘Pop Life’ features co-writes for the first time with Cathy Dennis on ‘Baby When The Light’ and Karen Poole on ‘Tomorrow Can Wait’. ‘Pop Life’ is David’s best album to date, destined to be the soundtrack to this summer and beyond. “Some DJs say pop is a dirty word, but I’m trying to be different,” he says. “Of course dance music is pop music! I’m always faithful to my community, but this album also has big, quality pop melodies.” Out now on Charisma Records.

Lee Mead: 'Lee Mead' album
The self titled debut album from the 26-year-old winner of BBC’s Any Dream Will Do is set for release on November 19th. The first single ‘Gonna Make You A Star’ - originally a number one hit back in 1974 for David Essex –will follow on December 3rd. Lee Mead has become a household name, earning rave reviews as the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hugely successful sell out show ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’. Fan of the show Gary Barlow went to see the musical earlier this year and as a result has written a new song called ‘When I Need You The Most’ for Lee’s album.

'Complete Reflexology For Life' book
Pressing reflex points on the feet and hands is ideal for encouraging health and overall well being. Find out how everyone in the family, from pregnant women to babies and seniors, can benefit from this gentle form of therapy. Easy-to-follow step-by-step photos show you how treat all kinds of conditions, from asthma and allergies to high blood pressure and stress. Whether playfully squeezing the toes of tiny tots to help them relax, or helping to relieve arthritis, find the perfect treatment for all ages. Published by Dorling Kindersley, out now, priced £18.99.

Groove Armada: 'GA10: From The Vaults 1997-2007' album
GA10’s uptempo CD, chosen and mixed by Tom Findlay, includes a version of Easy recorded in an attic in N16; the original version of I See You Baby; and a version of Feel The Same As You never before heard outside Japan. The downtempo CD is mixed by Andy Cato and features a Groove Armada remix of Language Lab’s Burning Disaster; a re-edit of Little by Little; and a Presence remix of At The River. Released on 12th November.
Read our review of the album.

Hannah: 'Everything Is Changing' album
An extraordinarily gifted songwriter, singer and pianist Hannah’s blend of ballads and classic pop has dominated the charts in her home country for more than a decade. Now Hannah is looking at new horizons with the release of her album ‘Everything Is Changing’, Hannah’s sixth album and the first album to be released outside of her native Estonia. Like Madonna, Beyonce and Kylie no surname is necessary when referring to Hannah – in her homeland her life is one that we would associate with the super-celebrity but that is no surprise as, for many years, Hannah has been the most successful female entertainer in Estonia. Out now.

Plain White T's: 'Every Second Counts' album
‘Every Second Counts’ debuted at No 3 and achieved gold status in the UK and in America. The album features many highlights including Hey There Delilah, Our Time Now, So Damn Clever and Take me Away. The band played to packed out tents at the Reading and Leeds festival as well as their own sold out UK tour earlier this year. They will be touring with Fall Out Boy and Gym Class Heroes throughout America on an impressive 39 date tour which commences on October 17th. They will be returning to the UK in January 2008 to play live shows and have just announced a second London date after selling out The Astoria in 3 weeks. Out now.

'The Shoe Queen' book
English society beauty Genevieve Shelby King parties to the utmost with the Anglo-American artists and writers of Montparnasse. She has a rich husband, a glamorous apartment and an enormous shoe collection. But there is something hollow at the centre of Genevieve's charmed life. When she spots a pair of unique and exquisite shoes on the feet of an arch rival one night, her whole collection - indeed everything she has - seems suddenly worthless. The exclusive designer Paolo Zachari, renowned for his fabulous shoes and eccentric behaviour, hand-picks his clients according to whim. And he is determined to say no to Genevieve. As her desire for the pair of unobtainable shoes develops into an obsession with their creator, Genevieve's elaborately designed life comes under threat, and she is forced to confront the emptiness at its heart. Published by Black Swan on 3rd December, priced £6.99.

J Holiday: 'Back of My Lac' album
J Holiday is the biggest new talent to hit US R&B this year, the phenomenal success of his debut single ‘Bed’ and album ‘Back To My Lac’ has made him the hottest name on everyone’s lips. Earlier this year the nation was swept away with the single ‘Bed’ which entered the US Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart straight at No.1 where it stayed for an incredible four weeks, this success was shortly followed by the album which also debuted at No.1 in the US chart. ‘Back Of My Lac’ give nods to old school R&B as J Holiday strips it back to produce an album mixed with club-pleasers and woman-teasers with a smooth but sexy edge. Out now.

Mickey Mouse 2008 deluxe diary
Published by teNeues, priced £9.99.

Sock Monkey Magneto notecard box
Published by teNeues, priced £10.99.

Sock Monkey Large Magneto journal
Published by teNeues, priced £8.99.

Goo Goo Dolls: 'Greatest Hits' album
Since forming in New York in 1986, the Goo Goo Dolls have evolved from a punk influenced trio into the platinum selling, (10 million albums) chart topping act behind such massive hits as “Name”, “Iris”, “Slide” and “Here Is Gone”. Their latest single ‘Before It’s Too Late’ was taken from the 150,000,000 million dollar summer blockbuster from Steven Spielberg, “Transformers”. “Iris” has been in the UK Top 200 for the last 18 months! Released 19th November 2007 by Warner Bros.
Read our review of the album.

'Crave: A Passion for Chocolate' book
A celebration of chocolate, Crave presents 148 recipes for luscious desserts, cakes, biscuits, confectionery and puddings, for all occasions and all levels of cook. Includedare simple family favourites as well as elaborate recipes for special celebrations such as weddings, holidays and birthdays. Also featured is a techniques section, which explains the various types of chocolate and gives hints on using and baking with chocolate. Out now, published by Murdoch Books, priced £19.99.

'The Black Book Of Secrets' book
Fiona E. Higgins’ wonderful ability to combine page-turning storytelling, intriguing characters and lots of thrilling, gruesome detail makes her an exceptional new talent with an exciting future in children’s books. When Ludlow Fitch’s parents cruelly betray him, he steals away on the back of a carriage and leaves behind the stinking City. Arriving in the dead of night at a remote village, Ludlow meets the tall and limping figure of Joe Zabbidou - a pawnbroker with a difference. For Joe trades secrets, not goods, for cash. Out now, published by Macmillan, priced £5.99.

teneues.de
googoodolls.com
myspace.com/craigdavid
myspace.com/davidguetta
jholiday.com
miauk.com