I've been resisting reader requests to do a "what's on your iPod?" instalment for a good six months now but a visit to the new Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, New York, a particularly brisk run around Central Park's reservoir last week and a flattering letter from a charming woman at Nasa's Jet Propulsion laboratory all conspired to force me to sift through the 700 plus songs on my iPod and choose my top 20.
As I'm hoping Nasa will be using my playlist for their astronaut wake-up music I've kept my choices upbeat. And as something that vaguely resembles summer has started to wash over the northern part of Europe, I've also offered up a series of tracks that guarantee you'll always walk or run with a gentle, rhythmic sway of the hips.
Here's Fast Lane's 20 essential, predominantly Nippon/Nordic, tracks for summer 2006:
1. Loop in My Heart by M-Flo
This Tokyo pop act have made a name for themselves by crafting a unique, more polite, hip-hop sound that mixes great styling with a revolving door of vocal talent. Verbal is always on the microphone, DJ Taku is always on the decks and for this particular track two fetching pop divas provide the purring voices.
2. Stop and Think It Over by Saint Etienne
It's big, it's wandering and it's very moody. I've long been a fan of Saint Etienne and this track works best late in the afternoon when the sun's going down and the pinot grigio has hit just the right level of chill.
3. Worn Me Down by Rachel Yamagata
Yamagata's track doesn't hit you over the head instantly but after about three plays you find yourself constantly spooling round the dial in search of her throaty, slightly pleading voice.
4. Lovin' Out Of Nothing by Titiyo
Titiyo should be one of Sweden's bigger pop exports but she remains something of an unknown south of the Baltic. This track will have you downloading her whole back catalogue.
5. It's On by Lisa
Lisa is a half Colombian/half Japanese fixture at the edgier end of Japan's pop scene. Her sound is a little American but the dance moves are wholly J-Pop.
6. Make It Right by Christian Falk
This danceable little number has been kicking around for a long time, with good reason. It's lush, deep and never fails to fill the floor when you play living room disco.
7. How You Like Me Now by M-Flo
I was going to move this further down the list but it is my current fresh-out-of- bed, post-muesli, pre-shower favourite. It's not one of the group's newest tracks but it's certainly a classic.
8. What Would You Do For Me by Heed
Don't attempt to look for this one online as you're likely to end up with an earful of heavy metal. Swedish pop group Heed disbanded several years ago but their name seems to have been adopted by a group of headbangers. If you happen to be in Stockholm or Gothenburg you can occasionally find one of their CDs languishing in the Swedish pop music section.
9. Groove Is On by Groove Armada
What's not to like about a pacy, sassy, sunny track that represents British dance music at its best?
10. Live and Learn by The Cardigans
I've always had something of a soft spot for Nina Persson and her fellow band members. While there are many Cardigans tracks on my iPod, this one comes top of the list.
11. Lights by Nobuchika Eri
The first time I heard this was last summer in a subterranean nightclub in Aoyama and it immediately shifted the entire room into another gear. Starting low and slow it builds to a massive chorus that will stay with you for weeks.
12. When I Think of You by Funkster De Luxe
Are you driving through Germany this summer in a muscular V8 that will allow you to fully exploit the beauty of the autobahn? If so, this is your soundtrack.
13. Sommaren Med Kjell by Emma Nilsdotter
Call it a bit of Nordic bossa nova. The foundation has its roots in Brazil but the overall delivery feels like a crisp, glittering day out in the Stockholm archipelago.
14. Mas Que Nada by the Emigrants
You may have heard this song several thousand times but never quite as it's been arranged by the Emmigrants - it's sexy, rich and unfamiliar at first.
15. Jump by Madonna
No matter how jet-lagged or hungover you are when you head out for your morning 5km circuit, this Madge creation manages to make you move that little bit faster.
16. Reeewind by M-Flo loves Crystal Kay
J-Pop princess Crystal Kay features on this sugary number that feels a little J-Lo with a lot of Harajuku.
17. Don't Break My Heart by Blacknuss
This used to be the opening track on my running circuit playlist but has gradually been moved down the list by other artists. That said, it's still hung in there for a good 36 months as I'm unable to delete it from the list.
18. Track Two on Rollercoaster's album Sunsick
I have no idea what this track is called as it's written in Korean on the CD case. This still doesn't stop me from singing along, however.
19. Ooh Child by Yoshika
It's not the most sophisticated song I've ever come across but it might be the simplicity that makes it so attractive. There's something of the Carpenters in it that is also a selling feature.
20. Prelude by FreeTEMPO
Just when everyone's ready to pack up and head home you might want to slip this one on. It's a bit predictable in its construction but it definitely fills the floor.
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