TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURRENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : ****Excellent ***Good **Fair *Poor : TECH FLASHES

Compact discs aren’t simply the domain of the major record companies anymore--not by a long shot. Small labels are releasing a lot of CDs too. As a sample, here’s a list of the top 10 independent-label CDs, compiled by Howard Krumholtz for the July issue of Tower Records’ fact-filled publication Pulse.

1. “Les Miserables,” original cast (First Night/Relativity).

2. “Live at Winterland,” Jimi Hendrix (Rykodisc).

3. “Cinema Verite,” Dramarama (New Rose).

4. “The Bobs,” the Bobs (Kaleidoscope).

5. “Cold Snap,” Albert Collins (Alligator).

6. “Dreamtime,” the Cult (Beggar’s Banquet).

7. “Blast of Silence,” Golden Palominos (Celluloid).

8. “Deep Breakfast,” Ray Lynch (Music West).

9. “Let It Be,” the Replacements (Twin Tone).

10. “Immigrant,” Gene Loves Jezebel (Situation Two).