Music Notes: Mark Wahlberg to Sing Again?

July 27 -- The Monkeys were a pop sensation, so why not the Apes?

Actor Mark Wahlberg, who battles a group of domineering primates in Planet of the Apes, admits he would consider returning to his rapping roots. Wahlberg, whose older brother Donnie was a member of '80s boy band sensation New Kids on the Block, had a successful singing career back when he was known as Marky Mark.

He still has a record contract, a decade after he and The Funky Bunch were singing about their "Good Vibrations."

"You never know," said Wahlberg. "I seen the president of my record company last week and people are always talking. I've met with a couple of interesting people, some hip-hop guys. "

He says his life is certainly more orderly than back in his music days.

"If I didn't want to go to the show I wouldn't go, if I wanted to go on late, whatever I wanted to do," said Wahlberg. "But I can't live my life like that. I need the discipline of making films."

Wahlberg also wants to help young kids learn some discipline. He's starting a foundation to raise funds for youth charities such as Boston's Boys and Girls Club, which he credits with helping him stay on track during his own checkered past.

Ritchie to Direct Madonna

Guy Ritchie and Madonna have come up with the perfect solution for balancing their busy careers — work together.

Ritchie will direct his wife in a remake of the 1975 Italian love story Swept Away, his rep confirmed to The Associated Press.

The drama will feature Madonna as a wealthy woman vacationing with friends in the Mediterranean. She falls in love with a communist sailor while at sea.

The original film, which came out in 1975, starred Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato.

Moreover

Sarah McLachlan's documentary about Lilith Fair debuts in September at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was recorded during the 1999 tour and incorporates 400 hours of footage … And R.E.M. takes a turn as a bar band on The Simpsons this fall.