Weekly music releases: last but not least of the year -- new Blige and Eminem bonus tracks

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Most CDs are already out for the season but just in time, December 21 sees a re-release from one of the decade's best-selling artists, a new title from an R&B queen and a pop diva's hits from the 1980s, appropriately on vinyl.

Eminem's Relapse: Refill
The album is a re-release of his fifth studio album, Relapse, with seven bonus tracks. New songs include the single "Forever," featuring Drake, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne, "Taking My Ball," and five never-before-heard tracks. Eminem has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide. The long-awaited Relapse was his first album to be released since 2004's Encore, which has sold more than 11 million copies.
Genre: Hip hop
Label: Aftermath/Interscope Records (US) and Polydor (UK)
www.eminem.com

Mary J. Blige, Stronger WithEach Tear
With 40 million records sold, Mary J. Blige releases her ninth studio album with a selection of her own brand of hip-hop soul. The collection of songs features musical and production contributions from The-Dream, Ne-Yo, and more. Drake is featured on the first single, "The One" and T.I. performs on "Good Love." Also, the song "Color" is from the acclaimed film Precious, Based on the Novel ‘Push' by Sapphire.
Genre: R&B
Label: Matriarch/Geffen
www.mjblige.com/

Madonna, Celebration
The deluxe 4-disc set contains the Material Girl's hits from "Like a Virgin" to "Like a Prayer." As if packaged in the early 1980s, this vinyl-only version of her 2-CD "Best of" collection of 36 songs features Warhol-esque artwork. On her website, visitors can replace Madonna's iconic image with another face.
Genre: pop
Label: Warner Bros.
www.madonna.com/

RC