> If its 'non exclusive' i take that as meaning i retain all right to the music..am i right? (this really is the most important thing to me)

Yeah totally. I'd never actually sign anything exclusive, but you might do an exclusive track for a friend. There's quite a few ppl on this forum who've fell into the exclusive trap as artists and it's really not worth it.

My feeling are with a 35 track CD that you're not going to get loads. But I do think you've got some great responses from everyone here. It's like with anything really, don't let ppl take the piss but then again, dont you take the piss. Try for slightly higher amount and if they laugh, knock it down. It's all about compromise ;)