Fresh Notes

1. B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars – Nothin On You (new entry) – SONG OF THE WEEK!

Former US number one B.o.B slipped down the American chart with his first single and registered an impressive second this week. The Atalanta rapper’s progress has spread across the pond, too, with this early hit notching an extremely quick number one. Those in the know had B.o.B down as one to watch as far back as 2008; expect far more public recognition from now on.

2. Jason DeRulo – Ridin Solo (last week – 2)

Having originally sampled The Verve’s smash song ‘Bittersweet Symphony’, DeRulo was denied permission to use the track, and instead has had to settle for the strange brands of bleepy electronica that features on the version he’s released. A shame, given the poignant nature of The Verve’s effort, but this is still a catchy dance-floor track.

3. Roll Deep – Good Times (last week – 1)

A grimy, down and dirty urban smash from London’s new grime stars, Roll Deep have dropped off number one this week, and certainly edge into the lyrically cheesy in this track (note the excessive oh ohs and the bad rhyming), but they do the job nonetheless. Good times is undeniably catchy.

4. Alexandra Burke featuring Pitbull – All Night Long (last week –

Formed television star Alexandra Burke is that rare thing away from competition months: a continued TV talent show star. Burke’s brand of R&B is as strong as ever here, with Pitbull overlaying his own entertaining vocals and the strangely cool (given her past) Burke in top form.

5. Edward Maya featuring Vika Jugalina – Stereo Love (last week – 4)

Having become a massive dance-floor smash across Europe as far back as six months ago, Edward Maya has finally made his impact in the UK. Stereo Love is a track that’s looking likely to become a ‘song of the summer’ even this early, with clubs going mad for the beats. Might as well get ready for your summer holiday vibe early…

UK Albums Chart:

1. The Rolling Stones – Exile On Main Street (new entry)

The Rolling Stone’s are arguably the only band that provide a serious rivalry to the Beatles, both in terms of overall influence and popularity and in terms of competing on the charts at the time. The Beatles, of course, remade their albums last year, and The Rolling Stones have remastered the infamous Exile On Main Street to release this year. If you don’t know it, you should. Click here for some old school Rolling Stones ringtones.

2. Faithless – The Dance (new entry)

Faithless are true festival favorites, the kind of band you spend all summer standing in fields and eating overpriced food waiting to see. The Dance – their 6th studio album – sees the poignant two-piece bring Dido back into the frame on two tracks. It’s probably not their best, but as always Faithless are well worth a listen. Click here to download Faithless ringtones.

3. Plan B – The Defamation of Strickland Banks (last week – 2)

Down one in chart position but up yet more in terms of critical acclaim, The Defamation of Strickland Banks is  an early contender for album of the year, if only for the way it completely changes Plan B’s career trajectory, yet has done no damage at all to his sales. We can only respect that.

4. The Baseballs – Strike (new entry)

Proof positive that modern day German rock bands can have an influence internationally. The Baseballs come from Berlin, and perform rock and roll covers of major chart smashes in a predictable yet entertaining way. Strike is their debut album, and has already proved a big hit across the continent, including scoring several number ones.

5. Lady Gaga – Fame (last week – 4)

Whilst Lady Gaga’s remix album has disappeared off the top end of the charts a mere week after release, the original is still hanging around after 71 weeks. Testament to the power of the New Yorker’s infectious brand of pop, we’d argue. Others, even working with the original source material, just can’t quire reproduce. You’ll find plenty of The Fame ringtones here.