For MP3 play, I'd use GSPlayer, it is free, and has skin capabilites (I actually posted one I made for it here... let me try and dig up the links), EQ, Surround, Bass Boost, and a few other effects. It is also a windowed app, but if you want it docked to the screen, then find GSPlayer in the Registry, look for something like "Top offset", or something simialr, and set it to "0".
just do a search for it, there have been a number of topics on this, If I can I'll get the links to ya.
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showt...&threadid=9155 -- skin
http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA032810/gsp.htm -- player