Plus: Ryan Adams [ tickets ], Jamie Foxx [ tickets ], more.

Mary J. Blige [ tickets ]
"The Breakthrough"
(Geffen)

Given that Mary J. Blige already ranks as one of the best-selling female artists in R&B history, it's unclear just what type of "Breakthrough" the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is looking for with her new album. The 34-year-old New Yorker's previous record, "Love & Life," went all the way to No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart last year, and followed such previous chart-busters as 1999's "Mary" and 2001's "No More Drama."

Phish [ tickets ]
"Live at Madison Square Garden New Year's Eve 1995"
(JEMP/Rhino)

Phish-heads are in for a treat this holiday season as their favorite band unlocks the vaults and officially releases one of its most celebrated live recordings. Phish's New Year's Eve 1995 show at New York's Madison Square Garden--crowned by Rolling Stone magazine as one of that decade's 17 greatest concerts--is the first release on JEMP Records, a label devoted to the band's live archive.

Over the course of 27 songs and three discs, "Live at Madison Square Garden New Year's Eve 1995" finds the band navigating through their vast repertoire of original recordings as well as an array of cover material, including the barbershop-quartet favorite "Hello My Baby," the Collective Soul hit "Shine" and the Chuck Berry staple "Johnny B. Goode."

The legendary jam band broke up in 2004, following a two-day festival that drew some 60,000 "Phans" to rural Vermont. The band's primary vocalist, Trey Anastasio, recently released his second major-label solo record, "Shine."

The Notorious B.I.G. [ tickets ]
"Duets: The Final Chapter"
(Bad Boy)

The Notorious B.I.G.'s legend has only grown bigger since his death in 1997. His latest posthumous release finds the rapper working in tandem with some of the industry's biggest names. "Duets: The Final Chapter" is highlighted by such tracks as "The Most Shady" (featuring Eminem, Diddy and Obie Trice), "Whatchu Want" (featuring Jay-Z), "Beef" (featuring Mobb Deep) and "Mi Casa" (featuring R. Kelly and Charlie Wilson).

Ryan Adams
"29"
(Lost Highway)

Ryan Adams wins the title of the year's most prolific artist by releasing his third album of 2005. The rootsy rocker's "29," which quickly follows "Cold Roses" and "Jacksonville City Lights," is said to be a very intimate collection of stripped-down singer-songwriter material. The vocalist recorded this album without his regular band, the Cardinals.

Jamie Foxx
"Unpredictable"
(J Records)

Oscar-winning-actor Jamie Foxx, who wowed viewers in the film "Ray," is now moonlighting as a soul/R&B singer. His new album, "Unpredictable," features an A-list of guest talent, including Ludacris, Twista, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige. Foxx also collaborates with hip-hop mastermind Kanye West on the song "Extravaganza."

Other new releases:
Art Ensemble of Chicago, "Chi-Congo" (Fuel 2000)
Miles Davis, "The Cellar Door Sessions 1970" (Sony)
Isley Brothers, "Baby Makin' Music" (Def Jam)
Jojo's Circus, "Songs From Under the Big Top!" (Disney)
Nu Band, "Live" (Konnex)
The Rat Pack, "Direct from Las Vegas" (Master Concepts)
Asaf Sirkis and Inner Noise, "We Are Falling" (Konnex)
Sweet Serenade, "Sweet Serenade" (Universal)
Various Artists, "Burn the Streets, Vol. 5" (Daredevil)
Various Artists, "Hands Across the Water" (Compass)
Various Artists, "Hidden Beach Recordings Presents: Unwrapped Vo. 4" (Hidden Beach)

Soundtracks and scores:
"Casanova" (Hollywood)
"Match Point" (Milan)
"Water" (Varese)