AMORE

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli's cross-over success was firmly solidified long before the 2006 release of AMORE, and here, the singer casts an even wider net. Bocelli's voice is tailor-made for sensual romantic balladry, and naturally those songs abound. However, while past outings were marked by dramatic, though fairly straightforward orchestration and a crisp studio gloss, AMORE finds Bocelli utilizing a more diverse musical palette, including Spanish guitars, accordion, harmonica (courtesy of Stevie Wonder), saxophone (Kenny G), and-watch out-pop music's favorite nasty girl, Christina Aguilera.