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Two singles this week and they’re both pretty mainstream. But I’ve picked them both for the same reason – they’ve taken a classic latin track and given it an up to date sound. Better still, each tune has retained the dance rhythm that made them classic in the first place, the samba and the cha cha respectively. I think if I was doing shows right now I’d choose them both to be in my display. To iTunes we go….

• Mas Que Nada – Sergio Mendes and the Black Eyed Peas
• Sway (Alternative Version) – The Pussycat Dolls

Thanks to the incomparable UPop on XM Radio I have another must-play song to share. From his 2005 album Live at Stubb’s, I heartily recommend you check out the excellent King Without a Crown from reggae-star Matisyahu. Get hooked now and then come back for his new album, Youth, due out March 7.

Been a while, but heard this Wednesday performed live at the Brit Awards. Unannounced, Prince appeared on stage complete with the Time and Sheila E, did some classic numbers to great effect but I was most taken with his new single. Like When Doves Cry before it, Te Amo Corazon is a haunting ballad with a latin flavour. Grab a loved one and get your smooch on.

I’m blogging too much, I know, but here goes another. This time a little meme about my music library courtesy of jschwa.

Sort By Song Title:
First: ‘Til You Can’t Tuck It In by The Beautiful South, from the excellent Painting It Red album.
Last: Zorro Gris by Schifrin, Lalo & Orchestra Ensemble, from the soundtrack to the movie Tango.

Sort By Time:
Shortest: Untitled by Lamb, weighing in at 7 seconds.
Longest: When Will I Be Famous by Bros, I am astounded to see that I have a 29 minute and 10 second remix version of this 80’s hit. Astounded and embarrassed!

Sort By Artist:
First: ¡Cubanismo!, I have most if not all of their albums, absolutely essential if you like that Cuban latin vibe.
Last: Yukihiro Fukutomi with Second Sight [Yukihiro Fukutomi Remix], a little ambient groove that you’ll most likely like.

Top 5 Most Played:

1. Cool by Gwen Stefani | 11 plays
2. Because of You(Jason Nevins Acapella) by Kelly Clarkson | 8 plays
3. Hung Up by Madonna | 7 plays
4. Stickwitu by The Pussycat Dolls | 7 plays
5. 30 Minutes by t.A.T.u. | 6 plays

Been hearing this a lot on XM Radio and it has gotten under my skin: this week’s single is Ben Moody (featuring Anastacia) with Everything Burns.

If you like single of the week choices, check out Josh of the ever changing domain name who, somewhat oddly, is giving a single of the week every week.

Been a while since I had a single of the week. This week’s top tune is Cool by Gwen Stefani.

So I come back from England, head full of great British music I want on my iPod but of course the tunes I want are only on the UK music store and not the US one. Grrr… I should have bought the CDs when I was there but stupidly thought things like the new Sugababes album would be available here.

So today, Apple unveiled their new cell phone/iPod dealie, the ROKR E1, which will allow you to store up to 1000 songs on your phone:

But I don’t get it, why do I want to listen to music on my cell phone? Most of the time, the call sounds terrible so why try and play music on such a device? Same thing with video phones – why would I want to watch Batman Returns on a 1″ screen?? Of course, its a cool looking phone and will no doubt sell like hot cakes.

In more interesting news, check out the iPod Nano, the new ultra-small colour iPod:

Now that is something I wouldn’t mind having on my hip.

A prize for anyone who can use more than 13 pounds

In other, ahem, news I bought some new albums this week:

• Astronaut – Duran Duran
• Waiting For the Sirens’ Call – New Order
• Let’s Bottle Bohemia – The Thrills

All pretty good, but the New Order one is the best of the three.

Now is definitely the time to start buying music from the iTune Music Store. If you are customer of the 500 millionth download, then you win some big prizes, including 10 iPods and a 10,000 song gift card! Right now they are at 499, 564, 000 and rising rapidly.

[Update:] So I keep forgetting that here in the USA you have to pay the taxes on any prize you win. So I figure this Apple giveaway is worth close to $15K which means, what, you’d have to give the IRS $5K?? Doesn’t seem so much of a prize anymore.

Ugh, coming home from a late lunch today, the temperature sensor on the Camry said 121F, or 49C for those of you who use sensible scales. Now that is hot.