ok, here's the DRILL:

I' stuck with a personally-created "Favourites" playlist, which JUST KEEPS REAPPEARING NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I DELETE IT!!!!

the aformentioned directory /home/user/.mafw-playlists contained some files that seemed to be the Media Player's lists, but erasing them did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

the problem is.... i can't save a playlist named "Favourites" anymore, as it keeps reverting to the same 33-tracks-containing "favourites" playlist that clang itself to my N900!!!!

fact is, this persistent little BI*CH works just fine, all 33 tracks playing as they should...