Houston Control

Whitney Houston still dominates The Times’ Southern California pop album and singles charts, but the hot new pop album entry, which should show up in the Top 10 next week, is the long-awaited album by ex-N.W.A. member Dr. Dre. (See review, Page 74.) His “The Chronic” debuted at No. 14.

With four Garth Brooks albums in the Top 7, it’s no wonder the country chart has been dubbed Brooksland.

TOP 10 ALBUMS

Title, Artist (National Rank) Last Week 1 The Bodyguard, soundtrack (1) 1 2 Breathless, Kenny G (5) 2 3 Unplugged, Eric Clapton (2) 4 4 Timeless, Michael Bolton (3) 6 5 The Chase, Garth Brooks (4) 9 6 Home For Christmas, Amy Grant (7) 3 7 A Very Special Christmas 2, various artists (8) 5 8 Aladdin, soundtrack (32) 7 9 Ten, Pearl Jam (11) 11 10 Christmas Album, Neil Diamond (9) 8

TOP 10 SINGLES

Title, Artist (National Rank) Last Week 1 I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston (1) 1 2 Rump Shaker, Wreckx-N-Effect (2) 2 3 Ditty, Paperboy (31) 5 4 If I Ever Fall in Love, Shai (3) 3 5 In the Still of the Night, Boyz II Men (4) 4 6 Homies, Lighter Shade of Brown (48) 6 7 Back to the Hotel, N2Deep (11) 7 8 Saving Forever for You, Shanice (9) 11 9 I’d Die Without You, PM Dawn (6) 9 10 What About Your Friends, TLC (7) 12

TOP 10 COUNTRY ALBUMS

Title, Artist (National Rank) Last Week 1 The Chase, Garth Brooks (1) 1 2 Some Gave All, Billy Ray Cyrus (2) 3 3 Beyond the Season, Garth Brooks (3) 2 4 Pure Country, George Strait (4) 4 5 It’s Your Call, Reba McEntire (5) -- 6 No Fences, Garth Brooks (7) 5 7 Ropin’ the Wind, Garth Brooks (8) 7 8 Wynonna, Wynonna Judd (10) 6 9 Brand New Man, Brooks & Dunn (6) 8 10 I Still Believe in You, Vince Gill (9) 10

Source: SoundScan Inc., for week ending Dec. 20