(ANSA) - Italian pop sensation Eros Ramazzotti is primed to return to the world's charts with 'Calma Apparente' (Apparent Calm), his new album which comes out on Friday.
Ramazzotti's 10th collection features 13 songs, including I Belong To You, a duet with American soul star Anastacia.
"It started out as a piece for one voice, but we then transformed it into a duet," explained the singer, who has sold some 35 million records in a career spanning 23 years.
"I sent her an initial version by email and she sent it back with a part written by her in English. Thinking back to all the duets of my career (with greats like Tina Turner, Cher and Joe Cocker), Anastacia is the artist I felt most at home with."
The release of the collection - which comes out both in Italian and Spanish versions - coincides with the singer's 42nd birthday. As with his previous album, 9, he uses his music to reveal his state of mind following his divorce from Swiss model-turned-television presenter Michelle Hunziker three
years ago.
Relations between Ramazzotti and his ex-wife have provided Italian gossip columnists with heaps of material in recent months. Coverage of Hunziker's subsequent love affairs in celebrity news magazines and her alleged involvement with mystic groups reportedly caused friction between the former spouses.
Ramazzotti recently obtained a court injunction forbidding Hunziker from letting their daughter Aurora spend time with her most recent flame, her manager Salvatore Passaro. Hunziker has since split up with Passaro and relations with Ramazzotti have improved as a result. In Beata Solitudine (Blessed Solitude), however, he sinks speculation that the couple might be about to get back together.
"Even though I still miss you a little, and I don't know whose arms I'll end up in," the Italian lyrics say. Even thought she won't be as beautiful as you are, I'm not turning back."
Indeed, in 'Tu Sei' (You Are), he even gives tips to those hoping to take Hunziker's place. According to the song, his ideal woman is "a mix of passion, spirituality, poetry, fragility, craziness and sensuality."
There is also a moving piece called 'Sta Passando Novembre' (November is Passing), devoted to a 20-year-old Italian woman who recently committed suicide by throwing herself in front of a train.
"Dissatisfaction and a sense of inadequacy are common feelings and many young people can't take it - I've experienced this myself," he said. "But it's necessary to find the strength to let the most
negative, sad episodes slide off us. The scars they leave should not knock us down, but strengthen our character."
Ramazzotti's first single - Ad Un Amico (To A Friend) - came out in 1982. In 1984 the singer-songwriter took part in Italy's prestigious San Remo music festival - a competition he went
on to win two years later with Adesso Tu (Now You). Since then his distinctive nasal voice and ability to blend simple pop tunes with traditional Italian influences have won him a huge international following.
As well as recording tracks with Turner and Cocker, he has also shared stages with rock and pop legends Elton John, Rod Stewart and Jimmy Page. In 1997 'Eros', his 'Best of' album, won 32 platinum awards after selling more than 6 million copies.
