• All Saints in trouble
• Branded for life
• Cothes line
• Shaggy!
• Can you feel the love tonight? 
• 

All Saints in trouble

By Miles Brohier

The successful UK act Steps entered the UK chart at the No: 2 position this week with a double A side release. The release of double A side tracks is confusing as today singles are only produced on CD's and they cannot be played on both sides. The new Steps release nevertheless is 'It's The Way You Make Feel' and the Motown hit for Marvin Gaye 'Too Busy Thinking 'Bout My Baby. Steps perform 'It's The Way You Make Me Feel in true Abba fashion. It's a pop song all the way down and a successful one at that for Steps who had it recorded in Sweden.

The German act Fragma is also back in the UK Top 20 after nearly eight months with an entry at No: 3 titled 'Everytime You Need Me'. Their previous release 'Toca's Miracle' hit the No: 1 spot last April. The new release is in the same mould but this time features the vocals of Maria Rubia.

Bob The Builder's 'Can We Fix It' fell to the No: 4 spot this week after a three week reign at the Top of the chart. This included the prestigious Christmas No: 1 spot for the year 2000. The animated character also ended the 2000 with the best selling song in the UK. During the Christmas week, Bob The Builder prevented Westlife from notching their seventh consecutive No: 1 in the UK. Bob The Builder's song had strong parental purchasing support as it was an ideal gift for kids.

'Komodo (Save A Soul)' by Mauro Picotto is a new entry in the UK chart at No: 13. Mauro Picotto is a Italian DJ who took 'Komodo' to the top of the chart at home. The song has now crossed borders into Germany where it is a huge hit. The UK has now got hold of the song and it's catching on fast in the club scene. The dance track has its flaws and that one big draw back is that it seems a bit disjointed.

The All Saints line-up appears to be heading for a change. Reports that the all girl group were to split up were heightened on Monday January 8 when the group members met with their lawyers at the record label office London Records. The impending split comes ahead of the release of the next All Saints single tomorrow, Monday January 15.

There appears to be problems among the girls with two camps being formed, one by the sisters Natalia and Nicole Appleton and the other by Shaznay Lewis and Melanie Blatt. Shaznay and Melanie are reported to be more talented than the Appleton sisters. Shaznay is the song writer in the group. 

The All Saints have had four No: 1 songs. Their last chart topper 'Pure Shores' taken from the movie soundtrack 'Beach' became the second bestselling song in the UK in 2000. All Saints have already cancelled tours to Australia and the tour on home soil seems to be in doubt. Group member Nicole Appleton is now expecting a baby by Oasis member Liam Gallagher. If there is a split it appears those parting from the outfit will be the Appleton sisters.

Singer songwriter Kirsty MacColl was fatally injured in a swimming accident on December 19 in Mexico. The 41-year-old MacColl was with her 2 sons at the time but they were reported to be safe. Kirsty was 16-year-old when she signed a record deal. She was 20 when she became a star with her debut hit 'There's A Guy works Down At The Clip Shop, Swears He's Elvis'. The song reached No: 14 in 1981. 

In 1984 her song 'A New England' peaked at No: 7 in the UK. She also recorded a seasonal hit with the Pogues called 'Fairytale Of New York' which peaked at No: 2 in December 1987. 

Kirsty's last Top 20 was with other stars like Billy Bragg, Johnny Marr, Evan Dando, Simple Minds and U2. At the time of her death Kirsty was living with a Cuban percussionist and her two sons.

Last Friday PuffDaddy had to appear in court in the US on charges of assault and bribery. He pleaded not guilty.

Just before Christmas Simply. red frontman Mick Hucknall was cautioned for drug possession. Weeks earlier he was being investigated for sexual assault of a young woman but was later cleared.

Rod Stewart is planning to release an album this year. He has already had support from soul diva Macy Gray who has already written a few songs for the project.

In another development Rod has vowed to give up his rock'n' roll lifestyle.

The Jackson 5 has confirmed that they are back together including Michael and brother Jermaine. This would be the first serious reunion of the family group in more than 10 years. Some of the brothers recorded the album '2500 Jackson Street' but Michael missed out on the project.

Heavy metal rockers Guns N Roses have announced their first European show in 7 years. Details of an album release was not available.

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