IFPI Platinum Europe - Certifications for January 2004

IFPI Platinum Europe - Certifications for January 2004

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There is a distinctly French flavour to the start of the new year. Recordings awarded in January see six albums receive their first award, with five more going multi-platinum.

Barbra Streisand remains a Hollywood showbiz icon, with a career spanning stage, screen acting, film directing and singing. The Essential Barbra Streisand received its first Platinum Europe Award in January. This 40-track CD of over two and a half hours is a gateway to Streisand's extensive catalogue. Tracks are sequenced chronologically, covering almost four decades of recordings and encapsulating her diversity; ballads, pop, disco, Broadway, film, are all represented here. Essential wraps up with previously unreleased tracks, Someday my Prince Will Come and You'll Never Walk Alone.

Achieving its first Platinum Europe Award Celine Dion A l'Olympia captures the Canadian superstar performing live at the legendary Parisian venue in 1994. Part of the album's allure is the fact that it was recorded before she became a massive global sensation. The repertoire is performed mainly in French with a few of Celine Dion's early English language hits, Where Does My Heart Beat Now, The Power of Love and Love Can Move Mountains included.

French alternative rock band Noir Desir has been awarded a Platinum award for their album Des Visages des Figures. Released in 2001 the album features Manu Chao and Brigitte Fontaine.

After a five-year hiatus, Seal presents a fourth album simply entitled Seal IV. The internationally renowned vocalist, songwriter and multi-Grammy winning recording artist has reunited with producer Trevor Horn - revisiting a very successful studio collaboration - to produce what has been described as Seal's most sophisticated offering to date.

Formed in 1995, Tryo are a French acoustic reggae outfit whose feel good music also manages to convey a serious social critique. Tryo's success began essentially through word of mouth and by playing live. The band distributed the album themselves until 1998 when Sony released Mamagubida. The album has gone triple platinum in France and its success is sealed as Mamagubida received its first European Platinum Award.

Another French act honoured with its first Platinum award is Yannick Noah. This self-titled 2000 release from the French tennis player turned pop star is full of African rhythms and reggae beats. Yannick Noah soared up the pop charts in France where the album went multi-platinum.

Receiving its second Europe award, Will Smith's 1997 album Big Willie Style features the hit singles Gettin' Jiggy Wit It and Just the Two of Us, an ode to his son Trey. The Fresh Prince - and big-screen action hero - utilised his considerable charisma to return to his recording career with his blend of friendly, humorous pop-rap that has been his trademark, and massive commercial success, since the late eighties.

The second of Celine Dion's albums to be awarded in January achieves its fifth Platinum Europe Award. All The Way... A Decade of Song is a combination of a greatest hits compilation - nine of her best-loved singles are featured - and an album that introduces seven new recordings. The album includes a cover of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, and All The Way that incorporates original vocals from Frank Sinatra.

Inspired by Bob Dylan, Francis Cabrel never strays far from basic songwriting tools - acoustic guitar and gentle reflections on life. His blend of contemporary folk and blues-rock, along with his renowned lyrics ensures that Samedi Soir Sur La Terre flows along smoothly, whilst never losing interest. His style sparked a revival of interest in acoustic music in France and this 1994 album hits the five X Platinum Europe mark.

Norah Jones's debut Come Away With Me has attained its fifth Platinum Europe award since its release two years ago. Jones gift for melody, simple yet elegant progressions, and evocative lyrics has produced what looks to be a perennially popular album. Come Away With Me blends elements of jazz, soul, country, and folk-pop in a warm fusion and features a host of highly regarded and talented jazz musicians. Norah Jones's eagerly awaited new album is released in early February.

The Score, released in 1996 by The Fugees, not only revolutionised rap and catapulted the band into stardom, it also launched the productive solo careers of Wyclef Jean, Pras and Lauryn Hill. A breath of fresh air in the gangsta-dominated mid-'90s the Fugees' breakthrough album ranks as one of the most distinctive hip-hop albums of its era. The Score deservedly receives its sixth Platinum award, joining the select few Platinum Europe-winning artists' albums that have achieved sales of five million or more.