Pop Album Chart : Whitney Houston Nears Boyz’s Record

The biggest pop chart news is on the singles chart. Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” is No. 1 for the 13th week, tying the record set last year by Boyz II Men with “End of the Road,” from the “Boomerang” soundtrack. If Houston can stay on top another week, she’ll be the all-time champ. “The Bodyguard” album, which features her single, isn’t doing badly either, topping the pop chart again--the 11th time in its 12-week tenure. The rookie R&B; group Silk continues its surprisingly rapid rise, bounding from No. 28 to No. 14 with its album “Lose Control.” Michael Jackson’s recent TV appearances translated into a rather lukewarm sales increase for his “Dangerous” album, from No. 41 to No. 26. Next week, it will be interesting to see how his TV special with Oprah Winfrey affects sales. Above the Law premiered impressively--at No. 37--with its rap album “Black Mafia Life.”

* The rap group Brand Nubian debuted on the pop album chart with “In God We Trust” in its highest position ever--No. 12. Is this just an indication that the black nationalist outfit’s hard-core fans are buying the album or does this means its message is reaching a larger audience? We’ll know in a few weeks.

Pop Album Chart

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1. “The Bodyguard,” soundtrack 1 1 12 2. “Breathless,” Kenny G 2 2 12 3. “The Chronic,” Dr. Dre 3 4 8 4. “Some Gave All,” Billy Ray Cyrus 5 5 38 5. “Unplugged,” Eric Clapton 4 3 24 6. “If I Ever Fall in Love,” Shai 8 6 7 7. “Pocket Full of Kryptonite,” Spin Doctors 10 13 34 8. “Ten,” Pearl Jam 7 10 60 9. “Aladdin,” soundtrack 9 8 13 10. “Timeless,” Michael Bolton 6 7 19 * “In God We Trust,” Brand Nubian 1

SOURCE: Billboard/