JHME - Chart Chat

Fans of The Smiths need not get too excited when I mention that this week's big release has been written by a certain Mr Morrissey. That's because the Morrissey in question is none other than Neil Morrissey, Man Behaving Badly and the voice behind Britain's most succcessful children's character of the moment Bob The Builder. 'Mambo No. 5' is his new single, a cover version (of sorts) of the Lou Bega chart topper. It's all good harmless fun, and with an Elton John duet to follow in time for Christmas this guy could go far!

Challenging for number one will be 'Starlight' by Superman Lovers. Don't be deceived by the quirky title - you will almost certainly have heard this on the radio already as it is receiving heavy airplay. It's been a hit right the way across Europe and looks set to have similar levels of success in the UK. The musical background is straight out of the 70's, and is almost reminiscent of Stardust's 'Music Sounds Better With You' from a couple of years ago. It's hard to pigeon hole this, but you'll understand more when you hear it.

Jason Spaceman, or Jason Pierce as he is more regularly known, has sacked his entire band since we last heard from Spiritualized on their 'Abbey Road EP'. Now he is back with a rejigged line up, a new album and a new single from it entitled 'Stop your Cryin'. It's every bit as spectacular as you'd imagine, a dramatic piece of music with ranges from rock through classical and into gospel. It's a big expensive production and one which more than whets the listeners appetite for the album which comes in a couple of weeks.

Macy Gray has had her fair share of comparisons to the cartoon voice of Marge Simpson, but to me her voice is far from a joke - it's just plain annoying! Her new single 'Sweet Baby' continues from where her 'How Life Is' album, and if you liked that then you won't be too disappointed with her new outing. Many have proclaimed her as a genius, and this is more of the same dirge which will probably keep her fans and critics happy.

Artful Dodger were responsible for launching the career of Craig David, and now they hope to regenerate the career of All Saint Melanie Blatt who has been fairly quiet since the girls split earlier on in the year. As garage tracks go this is fairly run of the mill stuff, but Mel does have a good enough voice to lift it slightly. Just as with Macy Gray this is exactly what you'd expect from a UK garage band, so if you're a fan you'll be happy and if you're not then this probably won't convert you.

Few people had probably even heard of Staind before their stunning debut at number one in the UK album chart last week. They failed to hold on to that position this week, losing out to Slipknot and The Strokes but the sales of the album proved what a wide fan base the band have got - and that's before the release of a UK single. This would have stood a chance of being number one on another week but even with their impressive fan base I suspect they don't have the clout to see off Bob The Builder or Superman Lovers.

Fatboy Slim is back this week with an excellent double a side 'Ya Mama / Song For Shelter'. The first song 'Ya Mama' is an uptempo party tune, not shy to borrow and sample from numerous other sources. 'Song For Shelter' meanwhile has been spruced up by a Chemical Brothers remix and is a vast improvement on the album version of the track. Although the 'Half Way Between The Gutter And The Stars' album has produced some of the best work of his career, the singles have achieved disappointing chart positions. As such it's hard to predict a particularly high entry for this. Top twenty at a push.

He's unlikely to win over many new supporters with his new release, but that won't matter to Marilyn Manson whose 'Fight Song' has already proved itself to be one of the songs of the year so far. 'Nobodies' has an anthemic chorus and if people could see past his shock on stage antics they might just see that the guy does have far more talent than many will give him credit for. Despite it's loyalty his fan base does not quite have the might to challenge the top ten yet, so a debut around number 25 looks likely.

Nelly crossed over into UK chart superstardom with his last single making the top three. Now he follows up with a less commercial sound on 'Batter Up'. Enlisting the help of the St Lunatics posse this carries a far more underground sound, and is a single which may not quite match the chart heights attained by 'Ride Wit Me'.

Paul Heaton has been a chart success now under various guises. He first rose to fame as a Housemartin in the mid 1980's, then became lead singer of The Beautful South, a band whose career nosedived when their last single ('The River / Just Checkin') only made number 59. Now he is back as Biscuit Boy on the new single 'Mitch'. The song has been described as being slightly darker than his group efforts, but nonetheless it still features his trademark vocals and lyrics though I can't see it being a massive hit I'm afraid. Top 50 at best.

After the success of the 'Karma Hotel', Spooks are back with a 'Sweet Revenge'. Combining hip hop beats with a jazzy laid back feel has manage to set them apart from many of their rivals in the dance world right now and this should see them gain yet more fans of their distinctive sound. A top twenty hit, possibly top ten.

Next week sees star remixers Stargate release a single in their own right, Shaggy is back to challenge for his third number one of the year while Phil Collins makes a curious return with Lil Kim on a new version of 'IN The Air Tonight'. Manic Street Preachers release the fantastic 'Let Robeson Sing', while Dido, Faithless and Neil Finn also have new material to release. Chemical Brothers are hoping for a big hit with their 'It Began In Afrika' anthem while Samantha Mumba is hoping for writing as well as singing success on 'Baby Come On Over.

It's a bit of an odd race for the top between Superman Lovers and Bob The Builder but with 'Can We Fix It' easily being last years biggest selling single my money is on Bob to pip Clark Kent's fans at the post. Can I make it six correct weeks in a row? I'll see you back here in seven days to see if I can.