It’s Abdul and Jackson, Again

Ever get the feeling that three months from now Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson will still be 1-2 on the Billboard magazine pop album chart? That’s the way it’s been for weeks, though the fact that Jackson has the No. 1 pop single--”Escapade”--should change things in her favor one of these weeks. Michael Bolton’s “Soul Provider”--boosted by hit singles--moved up three notches to No. 6. Bonnie Raitt is still basking in the afterglow of her Grammy victories. Her “Nick of Time” album jumped 10 more places, to No. 12. Speaking of Grammys, the “Beaches” sound track, featuring Bette Midler’s Grammy-winning single, “Wind Beneath My Wings,” is on the rise again--from No. 60 to No. 38.

* Rapper M.C. Hammer has gotten rapped by some critics for this album, but rap fans seem to like it. “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em” leaped from No. 69 to No. 31.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Forever Your Girl” 1 1 87 Paula Abdul (Virgin) 2. “Rhythm Nation 1814” 2 2 24 Janet Jackson (A&M;) 3. “ ... But Seriously” 3 4 16 Phil Collins (Atlantic) 4. “Girl You Know It’s True” 5 3 52 Milli Vanilli (Arista) 5. “Cosmic Thing” 4 5 35 The B-52’s (Reprise) * “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em” 69 --- 2 M.C. Hammer (Capitol)