July 2004 - Platinum Europe Awards

August 5, 2004

A total of six albums were awarded in July, with Jamie Cullum, Massive Attack and System of a Down all receiving their first Platinum Europe Award for album sales across Europe.

Jamie Cullum rose to prominence with his second album Twentysomething. Where his debut album was recorded using a student loan, the follow-up was recorded at London's Mayfair studios and was produced by Stewart Levine who has worked with BB King and George Benson among others. Twentysomething has the pianist, singer and songwriter producing music which both jazz purists and fans of pop music alike can appreciate, and includes innovative covers such as Jimi Hendrix's Wind Cries Mary and Jeff Buckley's Lover, You Should Have Come Over. Setting a record as the fastest-selling jazz debut in the UK, Twentysomething receives its first Platinum Europe Award.

Almost a decade since its release Massive Attack's album Protection has achieved sales of a million across Europe to gain its first Platinum Europe Award. Massive Attack's blend of hip-hop rhythms, soulful melodies and dub grooves also incorporate a diverse range of vocalists that include Tricky and Tracy Thorn (Everything but the Girl) who lends her vocals on the hit title track of the album.

The LA-bred foursome, System of a Down, explore socio-political themes, serial killers, drug abuse and groupies in their acclaimed album Toxicity. Outstanding vocals, unexpected time changes and heavy death-metal-like intensity giving way to mellower melodies sets System of a Down apart from their nu-metal peers. As does the occasional middle-eastern flourishes which can be attributed to the members' Armenian roots. Toxicity is awarded a Platinum Europe Award for sales of one million across Europe.

Anastacia's self-titled third album receives its second Platinum Europe Award marking two million sales across the territory. Released in March 2004, Anastacia contains twelve tracks that showcase the singer's powerful vocals and includes the hit single Left Outside Alone.

Spanning a career of over twenty years, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are hailed as one of the most popular bands in the world. The Greatest Hits album focuses mainly on the band's second half of their career and successfully sums up their unique fusion of punk and funk that has gained huge commercial success. Honoured with its second Platinum Europe Award, the 16-track album includes hits such as Under the Bridge, Scar Tissue, Give it Away and Californication. Cont/…

White Ladder is David Gray's fourth recording and is an album where each song is beautifully crafted and delivered. Blending electronic beats with his traditional folk style of acoustic guitar and piano served to widen Gray's appeal and gain him deserved recognition with some of the tracks included in the soundtrack of the film This Year's Love. White Ladder goes Platinum x 3across Europe.

For further information contact
Nisha Gohil, IFPI Communications Department
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 7900