Sorry? NO!! I’m not talking about THAT vote. I’m talking about the three way battle for number one which is being fought for this weeks number one spot!

Standing proud at the top this week were UK garage act who sold a record 148,594 copies of 'Do You Really Like It'.  While the song continues to get a lot of radio and television coverage there are some serious threats to the bands dominance of the singles chart.

Hoping for his fourth chart topper is Shaggy, who has chosen to re-enlist the help of singer Rayvon for his new release ‘Angel’. If he succeeds only 17 artists in chart history would have enjoyed more successes at the top. It’s a slower affair than ‘It Wasn’t Me’ but with the weather improving what better man to provide the soundtrack to a sizzling British summer than Shaggy himself. My bet for number one this week without a doubt.

His closest rival is likely to be the man who got me interested in the music business, and what’s more he is rereleasing the single which was the first I ever bought by anyone (for £1.10 from Woolies if you’re interested). I am of course talking about Eddy Grant and his remixed and revamped ‘Electric Avenue’.

I am of course very excited about this! Imagine my celebrations if this were to go against the odds and claim the number one spot! One negative point though is that this was THE tune to come out of the Winter Music Conference held in Miami. Now, no offence to the magical Mr Grant but is a remix of an 18 year old song the best that the record industry can offer and tops the bill at a conference on the state of music? Oh what the hell – buy it anyway!

If you’re into outside bets the third candidates are Travis. ‘Coming Around’ was top five last year and with the mammoth interest in the band created following their last album this is sure to repeat that success. Complete with a comical video in which the band are seen at their very best dressed this is good, but not quite the same as the band that achieved such acclaim with such songs as ‘U 16 Girls’ and ‘All I Want To Do Is Rock’. Guaranteed to be this years thirty-something stocking filler at Christmas.

Also looking for a high new entry is Mya. Fresh from the success of ‘Case Of The Ex’ and just a week before the release of her collaboration with Christina Aguilera, Pink and Lil Kim this girl can do no wrong. It was reported that Mya was unhappy at the choice of single in ‘Case Of The Ex’, but she is bound to be happier with this great song. Even Richard and Judy’s daughter love her. What more reccomendation can I give you?

Outkast return this week with ‘So Fresh, So Clean’. It is not quite as sensational as the Prince-like ‘Ms Jackson’ but nevertheless it is good. In my opinion they should have rereleased ‘Bombs Over Baghdad’ but that was deemed too controversial and has even been shortened to ‘B.O.B’ on their album. A good song to hear on the radio but with a few other good songs to choose from this week it may not be enough to make you part with your hard earned cash.

Roxanne Shante was at one time Queen of all rappers and now another Roxanne is hoping that the name will take her to the very top of her profession. 'Got No Flow' is the single in question from Lisa Roxanne and this girl means business.  Her fans will know this is her at her soulful best and those who are not among her fans should get out, buy this and find out what they are missing out on.

Finally this week we should mention this weeks female teen singer, Ellie Campbell.  She is hoping to tread where Jessica, Britney, Christina and so many others have been recently and head into the top ten.  I fear though that apathy may be breaking out amongst the record buying public and the thought of another young star may not set them alight.  That said 'Don't Want You Back' is not that bad, and if pop music is your thing you could do worse than to give this a listen.

Next week looks very interesting with the return of Faithless (have you seen the video yet? If not I suggest you do – it may get you thinking), Manic Street Preachers, Melanie B, Muse, Marti Pellow and Stereophonics. Other releases from 2Pac, Belle and Sebastian, Limp Bizkit and Texas are all also due in the coming fortnight.

So there you have it. Shaggy and Rayvon together for the first time since ‘In The Summertime’ in 1995, having the last laugh on Virgin who dropped him from their label prior to his recording of the ‘Hot Shot’ album. That’s what my head says but I can’t deny there won’t be a large part of me praying for Eddy Grant to reign supreme come Sunday afternoon.

Thank you for visiting Chart Chat, feel free to express your opinions on the forum page and you can visit here in seven days time to catch up on the very latest in chart news and conversation. Don’t forget where you heard it first!