I loved the ease of tapes, and still do to be honest. I even tried MiniDisks. In fact I still record my rehearsal jams on MD but that’s about it.

These Sandisk slotMusic cards are not much more than tweaked 1GB microSD cards with a logo and a special USB-compatible sled: and the fact that they’ll carry albums from BMI Music, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group fails to pique my interest.

They’ll be DRM free which, to be honest, is a pleasant surprise.

To me, this is a thinly veiled attempt to attract people back into real stores. A noble venture, yes – but will this be the thing to accomplish it?

I worked for FOPP and I can tell you that when that particular chain of stores went into receivership no-one was really that shocked. Don't get me wrong; the stores were great but when you can get the latest 'Astronaut Love Triangletm' album by clicking your mouse instead of facing Tottenham Court Road on a Saturday what are you going to pick?

If you are looking for a new way to buy your digital choonz.....you’ll get a card that you can slot into your mobile or PC that contains high-quality MP3s (up to 20kbps), artwork, videos and such, which you can also reuse as a 1GB memory card later, and that’s kinda handy I spose.

If I want, and I generally do, a physical, tangible version of a bought album I’d go for the one with pictures and sleeve notes that I can read, touch and yes; perhaps even smell!

I am prepared to be proved wrong - we can only judge after Crimbo has come and gone I guess and see how many of these little cards containing 'That's What I Call Christmas 499' get moved around compared to their CD relatives.

For more hype...errr......info toddle off here: SlotMusic

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Jay Garrett is a a professional bass player and gadget junkie. Check out his blog at idleparis.co.uk