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To kick off the shopping season, Soundcheck enlists the help of local music critics to help you decide which CDs to buy friends and loved ones -- and even your enemy. (Yes, we even buy gifts for our enemies.) Coming to our holiday rescue: music writers Fred Plotkin, Jody Rosen, and Carolina Gonzales.

Fred Plotkin's Picks:
Fred Plotkin is author of several books on music including Classical Music 101 and Opera 101
Luciano Pavarotti, "Pavarotti in Concert" (Decca)
Various Artists, "Tango Around The World" (Putumayo)
Aretha Franklin, "Jewels in the Crown" (Arista)
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, "Aria: Opera without Words" (Decca)
Cecilia Bartoli, "Maria" (Decca)

Jody Rosen's Picks:
Jody Rosen is the music critic of Slate.com
Bonde do Rolê, "Solta o frango"
Brad Praisley, "50th Gear"
The Pierces, "Thirteen tales of love and revenge"
Various Artists, "The Complete Hit of the Week Recordings, Volume 3" (Archeophone)

Carolina Gonzales's Picks:
Carolina Gonzales is a contributor to Viva NY, the Latino section of the New York Daily News
Jose Gonzalez, "In Our Nature"
Kiran Alhuwalia, "Wanderlust"
Tinariwen, "Aman Iman (Water is Life)"
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, "100 Days and 100 Nights"