SINGLES - Nu Circles Feat Emma B - What You Need (Tonight) (Out Monday, Eastwest)

CATWALK queen Emma B hopes to be strutting her stuff all the way to the top of the charts. The TV presenter, model and lad mag covergirl has been writing songs since she was 11, unlike a few of her colleagues who have strayed from the catwalk and endured a couple of tortuous weeks dangling from the foot of the chart. This girl has music in her blood and she delivers a catchy Kylie/Louise pop sound over dance beat that should shift a few records.

Longview - Nowhere (Out Monday, Eastwest)

ROCK outfit Longview are going from strength to strength as they build-up to their debut album in May. With their third single out on Monday, the foursome show they have not fallen into the trap of copying the Stone Roses' "Manchester sound" that has claimed many other bands in the North-west. Far from it. Recording in Seattle, the home of Nirvana, they produce excellent harmonies over flat-out guitar, with perhaps just a hint of Lightning Seeds for flavour. It really is very good and with their gig at the Roadhouse on Wednesday, should secure a decent slot in the charts.

****

DJ Sneak Feat Bearwho? - Fix My Sink (Out now, Credence)

TONE Loc called it the wild thing, All Saints were making a booty call, and George Michael was honest enough just to want your sex, but now we have fix my sink. Yes indeedy, DJ Sneak and Bearwho? have come up with a new name for nookie, though it's hardly the sort of sweet nothing to whisper into someone's ear. This is one of those written with dance floors in mind. You know, where the DJ kills the music and hundreds of lagered-up revellers yell out "Fix My Sink". Should be a hit.

One Minute Silence - Revolution (Out Monday, V2)

THIS is very heavy metal about escaping from the traps life puts in our paths, as we are "welcome to the heart of the revolution". Unlike many heavy tracks where everything blends into a high-speed train crash, this has distinct and catchy features, especially a guitar riff that runs throughout, with a Tupac California Love feel.

One Minute Silence play Manchester MDH on March 31.

RY COODER & MANUEL GALBAN

MAMBO SINUENDO

Out Monday, Eastwest

THE real flavour of Cuba isn't hand rolled by virgins -- it is the warm and addictive sound that has defined its music for decades.

Cooder's collaboration with Cuban guitar legend Galban takes us back to the lats 1950, when the American pop-jazz influence was beginning to work its way into the Gulf of Mexico.

Cooder said: "Galban and I felt that there was a sound that had not been explored -- a Cuban electric guitar band that could re-interpret the atmnosphere of the 1950s with beauty, agility and simplicity.

"This music is powerful, lyrical and funny. Mambo sinuendo is Cuban soul and high-performance twang."

Just the sort of thing you would find if you went for a boogie at Manchester's Club Havana.

THE MOUNTAIN GOATS

TALLAHASSEE

Out Monday, 4AD

MOUNTAIN goats have adopted the country and western style where the storyline is more important than the music.

The title track is Alannis Morisette Ironic-esque acoustic version; First few desperate hours is more of a traditional country song; Game shows touch our lives is a John Denver/Weird Al Yankovic offering about how TV gameshows take over people's lives; and See America right takes on a heavy metal sound but doesn't shake its country music vocals.

All in all, a bit weird.

TOKTOK vs SOFFY O

TOKTOK vs SOFFY O

Out Monday, Eastwest

IT is perhaps going a bit far to call this lot the Erasure of the 21st century, but that's the general idea for their debut album -- electric pop funk.

The new single, Day of mine (Ludicrous idiots), kicks things off with a catchy Sugababes feel, while Go is more of a So Solid Crew offering.

Missy Queens gonna die is a Bananarama meets Erasure mix of electric funk.

A bit unusual but not bad.

VARIOUS

BOUDOIR BEATS

Out Monday, Jazz FM

WE have the latest Jazz FM compilation to give away, and it's another belter.

The late lounge presents boudoir beats offers the best of cool and sensuous hits featured on the Monday-to-Friday Late Lounge radio show.

The Rotary Connection's I am the black gold of the sun sets the sensual ball rolling with its relaxed jazz-funk feel.

As Thierry Henry would say, David Holmes presents the Free Association's (I wish I had a) wooden heart has more va va voom, with almost a Macy Gray sound.

Groove Armada's Little by little is streets apart from the Oasis offering of the same name, and is a searching, soulful track.

Paul Hardcastle, famous for his N-N-N-N-Nineteen of the 1980s, goes through the full range of his keyboard's stored sounds, from wind instruments to birds chirping to very relaxing effect.

The fantastic Kosheen, whose hit Catch topped the charts last year, offer a relaxed number with a dance chorus that go well together, and BahSamba's Tired little one brings proceedings to a close Latin style.

This has been dubbed "an alternative Valentine's soundtrack", so lights off, volume up, and let the festivities begin!

For your chance to win Boudoir beats, answer the following question: Primal Scream's Star features on Boudoir beats. Who is the band's singer; is it a) Bobby Gillespie; b) Tim Burgess or c) Tim Booth?

Send your answers to Mike Crutchley, Jazz FM competition, Bury Times, PO Box 1, Market Street, Bury, BL9 0PF by noon on Friday, January 31, including your name, address and daytime phone number.