Thankfully Christina redeems herself (at least on record) in her duet collaboration with Andrea Bocelli in "Somos Novios" (a.k.a "It’s Impossible"). The track is carrier single of the Italian tenor’s latest CD under MCA Universal Music, "Amore," that’s currently making waves abroad. Obviously, Andrea’s influence on Aguilera is compelling that the latter just had to junk her usual vocal gimmicks to keep in line with the former’s sophisticated attack of the song unless she comes across looking like a dunce.

For, indeed, how does one out sing Andrea? You don’t because you can’t. Celine Dion herself once said, "If God had a singing voice, it would sound like Andrea Bocelli." True. From Josh Groban to Russel Watson to Il Divo, all have picked up something from Andrea from clean phrasing to inherent melancholy in tonality. True, as one write-up points out, Luciano Pavarotti and the Three Tenors may have created the current mass-market interest in operatic arias and songs. But it’s Bocelli who attracted millions to a new world of classical crossover.

He is such a gifted artist that in this his 10th album of Italian and Spanish pop standards is of distinct theme and sound versus previous works "Sacred Arias," "Viaggo Italiano," and "Sentimento." Produced no less by David Foster and Humberto Gatica, "Amore" contains such tracks as "Amapola" and "Cuando Me Enamoro" and collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Kenny G.

To date, Andrea has sung for two Popes, George Bush Jr, Vladimir Putin, Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth II (to name a few) anywhere from vast open-air and enclosed venues (like the Big Dome when he came here a couple of years ago) to the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the Statue of Liberty. He has sold no less than 50 million albums worldwide thanks to his biggest crossover hit duets as "Time To Say Goodbye" (with Sarah Brightman) and "The Prayer" (with Celine Dion).

And soon millions more from "Somos Novios" with Christina Aguilera. Wanna bet?

#2: Kamikazee

Back with a vengeance is punkrock Kamikazee now signed with Universal Records. Their new single, "Narda," has not only hit Number One in retail but also radio and music channel countdowns — enough achievements for it to be to declared as OPM’ first legitimate big hit in 2006.

"Narda" is from their latest studio album "Maharot" which comes in the heels of a not-so-successful predecessor under another label. Still composed of Allan Burdeos on drums, Jason Astete on bass, Led Tuyay and Jomal Lino on guitars and Jay Contreras on the mic, Kamikazee has been unsinkable thanks to perseverance and positioning of being the livewire act to beat in today’s rock scene.

This we know because we attended the "Maharot" launch a couple of weeks ago. As soon as fog machine started belching out smoke and spot lights were turned on, vocalist Jay burst onstage like a madman who missed out on his medications. He wriggles, does the split, kisses the guitarist sans warning or provocation, head bangs, does the head stand — rock posturing to the extreme!

Then again, it’s not as if the stunts are out of place with their brand of music that reminds one of President of the United States and early Greenday. Other tracks from the album performed live then that we like are "Chicksilog,"and "Diskoskwela" of throbbing rhythm and pulsating guitar works that demand movement from both author and audience.

Even before "Narda" hit big on mainstream, legitimate rock authorities have recognized the merit of Kamikazee’s musicality. Apart from topping the NU 107 chart with their songs, the band has also been cited as Best Live Act by the NU 107 Rock Awards even as drummer Allan has been honored with a Drummer of the Year citation.

Kamikazee’s cover of Britney Spear’s "Lucky," meanwhile, gave the band the Best Music Video plum at the MTV Pilipinas Music Awards 2003.

‘Kamikazee’ is bastardization of words ‘Kami kasi’ or ‘Because we are who we are’ — an apt choice of name for a band that’s like no other in the scene today.

#3: Click Five

In just two years, Boston-based and Berklee School of Music-honed quintet, Click Five, has already collaborated with diverse rock acts from Kiss and The Cars to Alanis Morissette and Fountains of Wayne.This they wear on their sleeves via their Warner Music debut CD, "Greetings From Imrie House," that contains the hit song "Just The Girl" reminiscent of rock ala-Tick Springsfield.

Their packaging and musicality confuses people though, about whether they are a legit rock band or a boy band. Those snappy suits (a look that dates back to the days of playing mod covers during off-time at Berklee) hint on the last. The ringing five-part harmonies that vein just about every song, and the alternately peppy and atmospheric keyboard parts also doesn’t go down well with rock purists. Add the name ‘Click’ that sounds like ‘clique’ (which connotes belonging or conforming—totally opposite rock’s rebellious attitude) and, well, people get suspicious.

Then again, who cares about labels? Good music is the bottom line — a lot of which you find in Click Five’s 11-track CD. Three other radio-ready tracks here are the shimmering "Catch Your Wave" (Beach Boys goes New Wave), "Angel To You (Devil To Me)" co-written with Paul Stanley of Kiss and a remake of "Lies," yep, that The Thompson Twin-hit from the 80’s.

Click Five is comprised by Eric Dill on vocals, Joe Guese on lead guitar, Ethan Mentzer on bass, Ben Romans on keyboards and Joey Zehr on drums.