Daily News from New York, New York • 322

Gift of Music 3 irr-T" if irnn -ir alls with the soeed of mesic By HUGH WYATT ost of us are wondering what gifts M' I we should give to friends and relatives now that the Christmas season Is upon us. The purchase of a record album or a tape next to gold, silver and real estate is probably the safest investment we can make. A record not only sparks enjoyment but it is a lasting pleasure. Here are some album suggestions for all of the folks on your Christmas shopping list: ADAM AND THE ANTS Prince Charming mmfmmm A (Pi JT Ik flu i 7 gfeg- theh CI: funk and raunchiness, prevailed. One reason Is that this veteran group has a flair unequaled by any group on the contemporary scene, and it comes across strongly in their music.

Listening to such tunes as the title track "Inside You," one can easily understand why the Isley Brothers, have endured: the sensuality is overwhelming. For Soulsters and rocksters. and perchance even a few jazz hipsters, consider placing this one under the Christmas tree. FRANK SINATRA She Shot Me Down (Reprise) This latest entry by the "chairman of the board should help him to remain as the greatest of America's popular singers. What Frank may have lost in volume over the years is amply made up for in other areas.

His voice is a perfectly controlled Instrument that does anything he wishes: from masterful phrasing to the lifting of a tear 'out of a note. And he swings, too. Check out Sonny Bono's original "Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)." A must cf musts. i DELBERT McCUNTON Plain From the Heart (Capitol) Delbert McClinton Is one of the few performers to have effectively made the transition from rhythm blues to rock 'n' roll without sounding awkward. During most of the '60s.

he was forced to play in cheap saloons In his native Lubbock, (birthplace of the great Buddy Holly) where he became acquainted with the soulful sounds of Bobby Blue Bland, Joe Tex and Jimmy Reed, his favorite. McClinton pours his heart out here on such songs as Rooster Blues," "In The Midnight Hour" and "A Fool In Love." PINK FLOYD A Collection of Great Dance Songs (Columbia) This is Pink Floyd's first album since The Wall." It's a collection of the group's late 70s hits, like "Wish You Were Here." Sheep" and 'Another Brick In the Wall." My favorite here is 'Money," which Is a new recording of their 1973 hit The other tunes also have an appeal of their own. Heavy-metal fans and other art-rockers will certainly want to add this to their collection. uMiBTiuiili 41' 1 hit cu 1-5 Si. I 1 1 -t iir'r1 iff TZ J.

I i (Epic) British "highbrow" rockers Adam and the Ants created quite an explosion when they invaded these shores last year with their American Indian-like chants. The original music is more underground-oriented, but it is trendy enough for a popular rock audience to be stimulated by the group's unusual explorations. The album; cover shows Adam and the group dressed in pirate garb and sporting Hpstick and colorful makeup. This album Is just as hot as the last one, "Kings of the Wild Frontier," except that the material seems more, as they say, spread out. And the chant goes on.

Teen rockers should love this one. ELVIS PRESLEY Greatest Hits (RCA) Presley fans will be absolutely thrilled -with this new album. Not just because It has titles Ike "The Sound of Your Cry," "Burning Love and There Goes My Everything," but because there are four "unreleased" tunes: "A Big Hunk of Love." "Whafd I Say." "Steamroller Blues" and "Don't Cry, Daddy." After listening to just one session of this album, It becomes obvious that EMs was one of the most Influential performers ever to emerge In pop music. A holiday treat. JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS Love Rock Roll (Boardwalk) Along with Debbie Harry, one of the top singers of the 70s rock underground was Joan Jett She has never received proper credit for her talents, which can be traced to the strong melodies and rhythms inspired by the Ramones.

This album is also Important because ft makes a statement about the new, almost fanatical devotion youngsters now have for contemporary rock 'n' roll and the original sounds of the middle and late '50s. Take note of the tune "You're Too Possessive," which Jett penned. A sensation. THE ISLEY BROTHERS Inside You (Tneck) With the advent of disco In the earty 70s, black funk as conceived by James Brown and companydiminished slightly and almost went underground. Oddly, the 'M Istey Brothers, who' have their own brand of EARTH, WIND AND FIRE Raise (ARC) Earth, Wind and Fire is such a superior contemporary rhythm blues group that ft attracts all types of music fans.

The musk: Is, indeed, superb. Under singer Maurice White's leadership, this Is the group's most commercially successful album since the double-platinum 1 Am." The first single, "Let's Groove," Is No. 1 on both the pop and soul charts en unusual accomplishment in these days of financial woes. A real gem. See RECORDS Pag 4.