Editor's Pick: Top Twenty Artists

In no particular order:

Fernando Lima Why: Lima's music is immensely atmospheric and his material is unusual. His vocal performances are always soulful; packing in genuine feeling with his extraordinarily unique voice. His music has a slight new age feel which is suitable for his counter-tenor. 'Guardian Angel' is one of CC's most beautiful pieces and his duet with Sarah Brightman (Pasión) shows how versatile his voice is. Highlights: Azul, Pasión, Pavane, Guardian Angel, Recuerdos De La Alhambra (Vocalise) Album pick: Pasión Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Play.com iTunes	Elizabeth Marvelly Why: She has always had a lovely pure voice, but I had written her off as she didn't stand out from her contemporaries. Her second album changed that. We like identity. Marvelly has it. Her material is well balanced and when she does cover the standards, she adds her own distinct flavour. She also offers originals and claims a healthy amount of writing credits. And 'Tarakihi', a Maori song she has recorded twice, is a bucket of awesome. Highlights: Home, E Papa, Tarakihi, Amazing Grace (Te Atua), Welcome Home Album pick: Home Amazon.co.uk Marbecks.co.nz
Micaela Haley Why: Her music is completely her own sound - and that's what we like best. She writes her own material, produces it and arranges it. As an independent artist she has the freedom to do what she wants, and if that includes adding heavy beats to 'Ave Maria' and using strong language during 'Habanera' then so be it. Definitely not for traditionalists, but adventurous fans should go for it. Highlights: La Vie En Rose, Ave Maria, How Do You Know, Smile, Amore Nascosto, Lacrimosa Album pick: Syren Official Site Store (signed physical) Amazon.com iTunes	All Angels Why: A group of young women at the top of their vocal disciplines is sure to create a beautiful sound. And so they do. They have grown over the years from offering innocent versions of choral and pop covers to something a little more edgy, fun and experimental. The group's core member, Daisy Chute, has one of the most emotive voices around. Highlights: Songbird, The Scientist, Singing You Through, Send in the Clowns, Come Away With Me, Starlight Album pick: Fly Away Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Play.com iTunes
Mariette Davina Why: She has the "wow" factor. You listen to her music and you know you've heard nothing like her; you know she is in another league from anybody else. The composition, interpretation and vocal performance of 'Circles of Change' is simply humbling, just for an example. It's rather depressing to come across someone so obviously special but who bathes only in the shadow of obscurity. Then again, it probably makes her music what it is. Highlights: You Are Holy, Circle of Change Album pick: Mariette Davina Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com iTunes	Jackie Evancho Why: Everyone obsesses with her age, but honestly, it's neither here or there. Her seemingly innate ability to interpret music gives her renditions a leg up compared to others. It's a shame that she covers so many standards, but she still has the odd original song and 'Lovers' alone makes her 'Dream With Me' album a must-have. Besides, she has plenty of time to grow and record all kinds of material. Highlights: Lovers, Everytime, Nella Fantasia, Pie Jesu, Imaginer, Dark Waltz Album pick: Dream With Me Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Play.com iTunes
Grace Bawden Why: She's a teenager that is happy to take risks and does not negotiate her artistic vision with industry pressures; so much so that she declined a major record deal to go independent. She has bell-like clarity in her soprano vocal and her repertoire varies from pop rock covers to original songs - some written by herself. Her voice has grown very strong operatically over the past few years. Highlights: Streets of Philadelphia, Cold Outside, Man of Colours, Just Breathe Album pick: Gifts of Grace Official Website Shop iTunes	Kanon Why: Kanon, a singer-pianist from Japan, is quite fascinating. She takes many Western crossover standards, such as 'Nella Fantasia', 'Time To Say Goodbye' and 'You Raise Me Up' and gives them her own distinct sound. She also writes the majority of her material. The only problem is that if you don't live in Japan, she's an expensive discovery to make. Highlights: キセキ Song of Love, Saga~This is My Road, プレリュード (FINAL FANTASY Seriesより), Brand New Breeze, Kyrie~荒野の果てに Album pick: A New Story Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com iTunes
Toni Gibson Why: Sometimes, an artist just has "it". Gibson is just a bucket load of raw talent with a one in a million voice, an easy charm and a slightly gothic aura. The ink is still not yet dry on her career development contract and she has had little intervention from the industry, thus her amateur and untampered recordings are running wonderfully riot on her Youtube page for everyone to watch and listen. Highlights: Wild Horses, A Bit of Earth, Music of the Night Album pick: Debut Album (not yet released)	Thomas Spencer-Wortley Why: He has a wonderful combination of theatre and classical, and his composing, arranging and producing brother, Oliver, allows a stream of creativity to enter into Spencer-Wortley's material. He is also an independent artist and sets a high standard for others without a major record deal. It helps that he is hilarious during his concerts! Highlights: The Rose, Ave Maria, Credere, Always A Woman Album pick: Credere Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Play.com iTune
Hayley Griffiths Why: A soprano that's influenced by new age, celtic, classical and even R'n'B so it's of no surprise that she sounds different from her contemporaries. She writes her own material and it's edgy enough to appeal to a younger audience. With a more traditional Celtic album also under her belt she also appeals to traditionalists. Highlights: Separated By Glass, Vanished, Our Love, Mechanical Lives, Blank Canvas Album pick: Silver Screen Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com iTunes	Il Volo Why: This is a group so charismatic and ridiculously talented they could probably sing the phone book and still make this list. As it is, they've put more effort into their album than that and have some wonderful original tracks alongside familiar ones that will make the typical CC audience comfortable. They also get extra bonus points for reminding me of Alvin and the Chipmunks (their image, not their music!) Highlights: Il Mondo, O Sole Mio, Smile, Painfully Beautiful, This Time Album pick: Il Volo Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Play.com iTunes
Phillippa Lusty Why: Lusty is a talented composer, violinist, arranger and not to mention an immensely talented singer. She's consistently pitch perfect, has fantastic stage presence and writes her own material. What's not to like?! She's the full package and is definitely the one to watch. Highlights: Please Stay, Guiding Light, Weight of the World, Vanishing, Ave Maria Album pick: Phillippa Lusty EP Lusty has not yet released an album. You can order her EP through her Myspace.	Mary-Jess Why: A British soprano signed to a major British label releases an album of original material with a Chinese flavour. It simply hasn't been done and the unique direction has definitely paid off musically. Stunning voice and an album so ground-breaking that I can't do it justice. Highlights: Glorious, Did I Make the Most of Loving You, Are You the Way Home, Lighthouse of Mine Album pick: Shine Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Play.com iTunes
Sisca Why: The best type of artist, for me, is a unique one, and Sisca certainly ticks that box. Her exotic debut album, Impermanent Life tackles issues of morality, environmentalism and philosophy with original material. Not a standard in sight and the only cover (Michael Jackson's 'Earth Song') is an achingly appropriate one. Highlights: Kindness, Beautiful, Hope, We Are All the Same, Time, Earth Song Album pick: Impermanent Life iTunes (Australia) Official website (physical copies sold out)	Annelies Why: It's hard to convey why when not many of her songs are made public, but having heard over a dozen demo tracks from Annelies it's even harder not to be excited by her voice and direction. She has an accessible tone and a hypnotising voice which is enough on its own, but coupled with her original material and unique sound, Annelies is going to be unstoppable when launched. Highlights: Song to the Siren, Per Sempre Album pick: Debut album Not yet released
Hayley Westenra Why: As far as note accuracy is concerned, Westenra is probably one of the most talented there is. Always pitch perfect and giving technically flawless performances she will hypnotise those that are fascinated with beautiful voices. Starting out as a child star, Westenra has really grown into a mature artist over the years and now relishes writing her own material. Highlights: I'm Kissing You, Dark Waltz, Summer Rain, Prayer, Never Saw Blue, Pokarekare Ana, Peace Shall Come, Here's To You, Lezione Di Musica Album pick: Pure Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Play.com iTunes	Josh Groban Why: It's a common misconception to assume that Groban is just a balladeer, but his latest albums have shown him to be a real artist, writing a number of his songs, and hand-picking a variety of different artists to work with to produce a wide and eclectic repertoire. Illuminations is the best example of this though Awake remains his best album to date. Highlights: To Where You Are, Remember When It Rained, You Are Loved (Don't Give Up), February Song, Awake, War At Home, Straight To You Album pick: Awake Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Play.com iTunes
Emma Shapplin Why: Shapplin is one of the most mysterious and distinctive artists in classical crossover. Her first two albums are entirely original and based on fantastical conceptions of her own creation. Mystical, atmospheric and deliciously dark there is much to gain when giving this very private and secretive artist a listen. Her work on film soundtrack the Red Planet should not be neglected. Highlights: Spente Le Stelle, Vedi Maria, La Notte Etterna, Spesso Sprofondo, The Inferno, Ira Di Dio Album pick: Etterna Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Play.com iTunes	Sarah Brightman Why: Brightman is one of the most creative and visual artists in classical crossover and with over 30 years in the business, she's had the time to develop into such. Often credited as the pioneer of crossover as we know it today, Brightman is also one of the most emulated. All of her albums differ and she scarcely sticks to one sound from one album to the next. Highlights: Figlio Perduto, Deliver Me, Time To Say Goodbye, A Question of Honour, No One Like You, Fleurs Du Mal Album pick: La Luna Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Play.com iTunes