IFPI Platinum Europe - Certifications for March 2004

IFPI Platinum Europe - Certifications for March 2004

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Album sales in March saw a total of eight albums attain Platinum Europe Awards. Six of the eight reached Platinum recognition for the first time and two reached new levels of Platinum.

Alicia Keys achieved worldwide recognition with her Grammy award-winning debut album Songs in A Minor. Her follow-up, The Diary of Alicia Keys, appears to be emulating its predecessor's success, gaining its first Platinum Europe Award since its release in December 2003. As the title suggests, the album is a personal account of Keys' thoughts and experiences throughout the past two years. The album was self penned, played and produced - although Keys also draws on a variety of talent including additional vocals from Nas and Rakim, and the co-production skills of Kanye West (Jay Z), Easy Mo Bee (Notorious BIG), Scott Storch (Beyonce, Justin Timberlake) and Rich Harrison (Mary J Blige).

In February this year, Calogero won Male Artist of the Year at both France's NRJ Music Awards, and at the Victoires de la Musique! As well as recording his own albums, Calogero has written for artists such as Hélène Ségara, Florent Pagny and Pascal Obispo amongst others. Calogero's 2002 release 2, musically influenced by two of his favourite bands The Cure and U2, scores its millionth sale across Europe.

With a return to form from one of Britain's greatest talents, George Michael's latest album Patience is awarded with a Platinum Europe certification for one million European sales. The album includes a reworked version of the former single Freeeek!

Love Actually was a box office hit starring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson. Much like the film's cast list, the soundtrack boasts an impressive collection of artists embracing score pieces, classic song-writing and golden pop tunes from the likes of Sugababes, Dido, Joni Mitchell, The Beach Boys and Otis Redding. Love Actually receives its first Platinum Europe Award.

The acclaimed Sugababes have come a long way since their debut effort in 2000. Three, the band's third album was released in October 2003 and opens with the band's third number 1 hit single Hole In The Head.

Any doubts concerning the longevity of Pop Idol winners are put to rest as far as Will Young is concerned with the release of the 2002 winner's second album Friday's Child. Minus the cover versions sprinkled throughout his debut, the album instead demonstrates Young's abilities as a songwriter and as a soulful pop artist. The Platinum Europe-awarded Friday's Child includes the massive hit single Leave Right Now.

The rise and success of the Texas born, jazz-infused singer/songwriter Norah Jones over the past 20 months has been truly remarkable. Her second album Feels Like Home notches up a second Platinum Europe Award since its release in February 2004. It looks set to follow the popularity of its predecessor Come Away With Me, which has sold over 5 million across Europe.

Evanescence's Fallen goes three x Platinum in Europe. The band's full-length debut has already picked up two gold and 20 national platinum awards in 17 European countries.