POP EYE

SMALL FACES: Sunz of Man, an offshoot of the Wu-Tang Clan, has cut a version of the 1975 Earth, Wind & Fire smash “Shining Star.” Produced by Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, the song features vocals and instrumentation by Jean and EWF’s Maurice White and Philip Bailey and raps by Sunz of Man and Wu-Tang’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard. . . .

Rancid is finishing its next album, “Life Won’t Wait,” due May 19, and preparing for its slot on the summer’s Warped tour. Members of fellow Warped participant the Specials, Mighty Mighty Bosstone Dicky Barrett and reggae singer Buju Banton guest on the album.

Applications for the May 17 Rhino Music Aptitude Test will be available at Tower stores starting April 6. The event is growing for its second year, with four cities added to L.A. and New York for live participation and more Internet access via the Yahoo service.