JHME - Chart Chat

The main challenge for number one is likely to come from Fragma. With Damae now filling the singing role on a permanent basis the group will be looking for a good start to their alliance with this pop / dance song entitled 'You Are Alive'. It's very Europop and follows in a very similar mode to that displayed on their past three hits. That's not to be knocked though as this could well give them a second UK number one, following on from the success of 'Toca's Miracle' last year.

Up against them at the top end of the chart is Eve, who releases 'Who's That Girl' this week. It is not a relative of Madonna or Eurythmics song of the same name but is an original piece of dance / soul music which has been getting a wide amount of exposure on the radio recently. The lady herself is tipped for big things this year and this is the perfect introduction to her musical talents. Top five is my guess.

Earlier this year Maria Rubia was the singer on Fragma's hit 'Everytime You Need Me' and now she attempts to go it alone with her debut single 'Say It'. It is fairly similar to her work with the band but that is not a bad thing considering the success of Fragma across Europe. I don't see this as a serious number one contender, but if it gets the airplay it could mount a top ten challenge.

Nelly started his chart career with 'Country Grammar' last year and was quick to follow it with the excellent 'EI' earlier this year. Now he returns with 'Ride Wit Me' as he tries to make it three top twenty hits in a row. It has every chance of doing do, and deservedly so as this is one of the most original rap / pop stars around. With Snoop Dogg lacking his early career form this guy could be destined to claim a crown as one of raps biggest and best performers.

Bon Jovi have been consistently churning out the hits in the UK for the last sixteen years though their birth as a band was much earlier. As a precursor to a date at Milton Keynes Bowl in the Summer and the release of their live greatest hits comes their new single 'One Wild Night'. It has been rerecorded for 2001 but retains the anthemic feel of the album version. You can see people playing air guitar to this in a night club on a Saturday night as this is trademark Bon Jovi material. Maybe not quite top ten though, as it is the third single from the album.

My Vitriol made their top forty breakthrough recently with 'Always : Your Way' which made number 31 and got them a debut Top Of The Pops appearance. Hoping to build on that success is their new single 'Grounded'. This song is not quite the classic which their last single was but nevertheless show signs of encouragement that there is more to come from this band. I think this will also make the top forty, but I am not expecting it to make a huge dent in the top thirty.

Badly Drawn Boy won the Mercury Music Award for Best Album last year for his 'Hour Of The Bewilderbeest' CD and this week he lifts another single from it. Keen fans may recognise its original album title but as that was a little unsuitable for radio play it is now entitled 'Spitting In The Wind'. It's gentler than recent singles and proof of what a wide range of musical styles this guy can cross. Buy it, if only to give Damon the success he so richly deserves.

Also back this week are one of my favourite bands - Reef. 'Set The Record Straight' was a real return to form for them in my opinion and hopefully 'All I Want' will repeat that success. They are one of the best live bands in Britain today so if you get the chance do go and see them. If you don't get the chance then buy this single and play it at full volume on your living room stereo system.

So who will win the battle? Fragma, Eve or Geri again. I think Fragma may just have the edge, but disregard Geri at your peril. Gabrielle has enjoyed a vast resurge in sales since Bridget Jones release and that film will also help Geri. However I hate to sit on the fence so my money is on Fragma as I attempt to be correct in my predictions for a second week in a row. See you back here next week to see if I was successful!