sound bytes:Call Me Irresponsible

Published on September 11, 2007

His breakthrough came in 2000 when he was signed by producer David Foster. His self-titled debut album, featuring a range of standards and released in early 2003, went platinum. Buble won the "Best New Artist" prize at the 2004 Juno Awards, and his second studio album, 2005's "It's Time", spawned the hit single, "Home". He has now sold in excess of 10 million records worldwide

Who's doing what: "Call Me Irresponsible" was released in May and went platinum within the first week. The first single "Everything", produced by Bob Rock, who is best known for his work with hard rockers Metallica, is also a global hit.

Mr Badboy says: This album continues in much the same vein as Buble's previous albums, with the crooner covering a range of pop classics, sentimental ballads and upbeat Latino tunes in his inimitable style. He opens with a finger-snapping, polished rendition of "The Best Is Yet To Come", a song made famous by Frank Sinatra, then segues effortlessly into Henry Mancini's "It Had Better Be Tonight", which is livened up by some exciting Italian salsa arrangements. With Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs Jones", he goes for a show-tune angle while for Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight", he brings in the bossa nova. A personal pick is Sinatra's "That's Life" served up big-band style complete with a gospel choir.

The Police (2CD Anthology)

The Police (A&M)

Who's who: The Police are a three-piece rock band consisting of singer/bassist Sting, guitarist Andy Summers, and drummer Stewart Copeland. The band became globally popular in the early '80s, playing a style of rock that was influenced by jazz, reggae and punk music. Their 1983 album "Synchronicity" was No 1 in the UK and the US and went platinum eight times in the US. The band broke up in the mid-'80s, but reunited early this year for a huge, international world tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their hit single "Roxanne" from their first album "Outlandos d'Amour" in 1978.

Who's doing what: With a tour coming up, it makes sense to have a record to promote, hence the release by Universal Music of some material from the band's back catalogue for this two-CD package. "The Reunion Tour" kicked off in Vancouver on May 28 in front of 22,000 delighted fans at one of two nearly sold-out concerts.

Mr Badboy says: The 28 songs on this collection trace the trio's career timeline, from their first studio album in 1978 to their last in 1983, and fans can kick back and listen to them morph from a raw punk to a polished pop/rock outfit. All the celebrated hits are here, including "Can't Stand Losing You", "Message In A Bottle", "Walking On The Moon", "Don't Stand So Close To Me", "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da", "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", "Spirits In The Material World", and "Every Breath You Take".

mr badboy