Jackson’s ‘Escapades’ a Threat

In that sizzling battle between Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson for pop chart supremacy, Jackson just made a breakthrough. Though Adbul’s “Forever Your Girl” is still No. 1 on the Billboard album chart and Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” continues at No. 2, Jackson’s “Escapade” ascended to the top of the pop singles chart. Abdul’s single, “Opposites Attract,” which had been No.1, slipped to No. 3. “Alannah Myles,” the debut album of Canadian rocker Alannah Myles, leaped to No. 19 from No. 26. Her “Black Velvet” single cracked the pop Top 10, entering at No. 9. Now that Michel’le’s single, “No More Lies,” has edged into the pop Top 10 at No. 10, this young soul singer’s first album, “Michel’le,” (No. 49) should at least make the Top 40.

* Bonnie Raitt’s “Nick of Time,” which just won the album of the year Grammy, should start climbing the pop chart rapidly. The album will now probably get valuable radio exposure that might even boost it into the Top 10. The album, nearly a year old, moved up two notches to No. 40.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Forever Your Girl” 1 1 85 Paula Abdul (Virgin) 2. “Rhythm Nation 1814” 2 2 22 Janet Jackson (A&M;) 3. “Girl You Know It’s True” 3 2 50 Milli Vanilli (Arista) 4. “... But Seriously” 4 4 14 Phil Collins (Atlantic) 5. “Cosmic Thing” 5 5 33 The B-52’s (Reprise) * “Nick of Time” 42 45 47 Bonnie Raitt (Capitol)