AN ALBUM of Gregorian chants by a group of Spanish Benedictine monks has become one of the biggest, and most unexpected, Christian music hits in record history. Marketed as relaxation music and a remedy to stress the album 'Canto Gregoriano' by monks of Santo Demingo De Silos monastery has become an international best seller registering high in the album pop charts in USA, Britain and numerous other countries. Its worldwide sales are currently 600,000 copies. The huge success of 'Canto Gregoriano' began in Spain with a TV marketing campaign by EMI Spain aimed at young people. Within weeks the album - despite featuring recordings some of which were over 20 years old - had made number one in the Spanish pop charts.

In America 'Canto Gregoriano' was awarded the International Award at the Dove Awards while in Britain its entrance into the pop charts gained it coverage in national newspapers and the BBC's Six O'Clock News. EMI Records estimate that 60% of the sales of 'Canto Gregoriano' are accounted for by the 18-25 age group.

Other major record companies have been repackaging Gregorian chant records - previously perceived as a niche market within classical music - to cash in on the success of 'Canto Gregoriano'. Warner Classics have released 'Classic Stressbusters' and Tranquility', a resleeving of an 8-year old Erato recording while Sony Classical and Deutsche Grammophon have also released Gregorian chant albums.