'The Little Caruso' is a big Latin lover now

AS a solo artiste, Carlos Marin may not be well known outside the Spanish-speaking universe, but as a member of the multinational pop-opera phenomenon Il Divo, it's a different story altogether. We're talking mob scenes, panting female fans (channelling their inner teeny-bopper) and an Armani-suited approach to showbiz that resembles the old-school sophistication of the Rat Pack days.

Granted, Marin and fellow Il Divo mates Urs Buhler, David Miller and Sebastien Izambard project a squeaky-clean image that the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr could never be accused of. For the past decade, they have also been part of a polished stage act that is the elegant equivalent of, say, a PG-rated romance. It's a formulaic act that has its fair share of detractors, but you can't argue with mega-success: with a string of hit albums and sellout world tours to its credit, the group has been one of entertainment mogul Simon Cowell's biggest creations.

Each of Il Divo's members has a distinct vocal persona - the opera-trained Marin possesses a powerful baritone that in pop-music terms might be compared to Tom Jones (a personal favourite of Marin's). The resulting blend has been described by critics as "a huge explosion of vocals" and a "musical aphrodisiac" that leaves audiences swooning.