I hate to tell you this after the fact but I *think* you could have saved yourself the trouble.

I had my databases and stuff somehow corrupted and all you need to do to get them back is delete the files /empeg/var/playlists, /empeg/var/tags, and /empeg/var/database and then re-sync. All those files will be rebuilt and it should have gotten you back your original playlists.

Always good to do a search here (or ask around) before banging one's head against the wall.