POP ALBUM CHART : Poison Could Hurt Hammer

It looks like Poison could be the group that will knock M.C. Hammer out of the top spot on the Billboard magazine pop chart. The band’s “Flesh and Blood,” which steamed up to No. 3 in just three weeks, seems like the only album in the Top Five with enough clout to unseat Hammer’s “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘em.” But don’t count out Wilson Phillips. The trio, with the No. 2 album, has an outside chance of taking No. 1, spurred by their new hit single, “Release Me,” which is No. 17 on the pop chart.

* Attempts to ban records by Luke and 2 Live Crew have proved, of course, to be a boon to sales. The Crew’s new “Banned in the U.S.A.” album debuted at a lofty No. 48. After a month, the album’s title song is No. 21 on the pop singles chart and rising fast.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em” 1 1 23 M.C.Hammer (Capitol) 2. “Wilson Phillips” 2 4 18 Wilson Phillips (SBK) 3. “Flesh and Blood” 12 33 3 Poison (Enigma) 4. “Step By Step” 3 3 8 New Kids on the Block (Columbia) 5. “I’m Breathless” 4 2 10 Madonna (Sire) * “Banned in the U.S.A” ... ... 1 Luke/2 Live Crew (Atlantic)