Harem – Sarah Brightman (Virgin Records)

Her sixth offering since she left a successful career in musical theater, and became Mrs. Webber for a short time, Sarah Brightman regales in her new album; It seems she has tired from the solitude of writing and the solitude of performing alone. To perhaps over come this solitude, Brightman ropes in orchestral musicians from Prague and Cairo, as well as virtuoso instrumentalists many traditional performers from all over the world, who open up their imagination and their songwriting to encompass bigger band sounds resulting in a Middle Eastern feel through the entire album. Also joining in is Ofra Haza and our very own Shweta Shetty.

One Heart – Celine Dion (Sony Music)

‘One Heart’ is the nineteenth studio album and eighth English-language album by Canadian singer Celine Dion, released on 24th March 2003.

Thalia – Thalia (Virgin Records)

One of the more exciting new pop debuts in early 2003 was a female artist is Thalia, who gives a thorough 14 no-nonsense songs flipping through different genres at the press of a button.

Eye to the Telescope – K T Tunstall (EMI Music)

KT Tunstall is a sparkling new songwriter with Chinese blood, a Scottish heart and a father for a physicist who used to take her to the observatory, is what fuelled the name of the album ‘Eye To The Telescope’. The songs examine and explore intimate situations or relationships of humans. This album is about getting a telescope and focusing in on very specific elements of human experience, like a conversation between one and another person. It’s almost like an alien has been sent to get emotional samples from human beings and put it all together on a record.

Beautiful Awakening - Stacie Orrico (EMI Virgin)

While many may have never heard of Stacie Orrico’s self titled debut, she's made a hit with Stuck, one of the catchiest songs ever made, but three years later, its any wonder if you could just stick on to her music going by her new album ‘Beautiful Awakening’.

Lost Highway – Bon Jovi (Universal Music)

While many have labeld Bon Jovi’s tenth studio work as a cross over into country, a close listen reveals that it has been merely inspired by and influenced by country music with a very modern Nashville sound.

The Very Best of the Backstreet Boys – Sony Music (Import)

The Backstreet Boys are coming to India. Every kid is eagerly awaiting the visit. We decided to pick one of their ‘Best of’ collection of major hits which made them the big international sensation they still are. Amazingly put together is a collection of songs that brings back memories from when I was a teen and the guys were at the prime of their career. A must have addition to any music collection.

Hard Candy – Madonna (Warner Bros)

About 25 years after her debut effort, Madonna has continued to produce pop songs that entered uncharted territory each time showcasing a different side of her personality. She has producers and collaborators joining her on this work and they include the likes of Pharrell, Timbaland, and Justin Timberlake who have given their own touch to make Madonna’s music sound like one of their own compositions, but still retaining the Madonna stamp. Lyrically some of the songs have a double meaning if you really listen carefully. Funnily enough its enjoyable.

The Tension and The Spark – Darren Hayes (Sony Music)

Singer / Songwriter Darren Hayes who sold millions of records worldwide between 1997 – 2001 as one half of the multi – platinum duo Savage Garden (with Daniel Jones) and in 2004 came out his second solo effort after 2002’s ‘Spin’.

Trouble – Akon (Universal Music)

Aliaune Akon Thiam better known in music circles as Akon would’ve been just another hip hop artist trying to break ground, but it took him just one song to make him a star overnight. Senegalese – American Akon pays homage to the early hip hop music which influenced him, and on this his debut work, he also includes women, the lack of them or just trouble with them in general as his album name suggests, everything you hear on this album is about himself and his life.