Pop Album Chart : Grammys Boost Braxton to No. 1

Toni Braxton probably wishes there were a big TV music awards show every month. Every time she appears on one, her debut album, “Toni Braxton,” leaps up the pop chart. This time it jumped from No. 8 all the way back to No. 1--the same spot it reached after her American Music Awards appearance. “The Bodyguard” got a Grammy boost too, moving from No. 16 to No. 6. It’s remarkable that this album is still doing well, after selling more than 11 million copies and spending 68 weeks on the chart.

Watching Frank Sinatra on the Grammy show certainly didn’t inspire mobs to run out and buy his “Duets” album. It moved up just two notches, to No. 40. The Curtis Mayfield tribute album, a collection of big stars singing his songs, did get a boost from his Grammy appearance, moving from No. 89 to No. 56.

In non-Grammy activity, new young singer Beck has parlayed a hit single, “Loser,” into a potential hit album. His “Mellow Gold” opened surprisingly high, at No. 15. The already-heralded “Rhythm, Country and Blues” album, featuring duets between R&B; and country singers, is off to a strong start, opening at No. 21. Ace of Base’s “The Sign” continues as the top pop single.

* Can Hammer make the jump from pop to gangsta rap? Some critics, who have slammed his new album, don’t think so, but it premiered impressively at No. 12. If the album lasts in the Top 20 for the next month, that may be a sign that Hammer can make the transition. He could use a big hit single, but his current “It’s All Good” peaked at No. 46.

Source: Billboard/SoundScan

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.”Toni Braxton,” Toni Braxton 8 2 34 2.”The Sign,” Ace of Base 3 9 15 3.”12 Play,” R. Kelly 2 3 17 4.”The Colour of My Love,” 6 8 17 Celine Dion 5.”Music Box,” Mariah Carey 1 1 27 6.”The Bodyguard,” 16 13 68 Whitney Houston 7.”August and Everything After,” 7 7 12 Counting Crows 8.”Doggystyle,” 4 5 15 Snoop Doggy Dogg 9.”Very Necessary,” 5 4 21 Salt-N-Pepa 10.”The Cross of Changes,” 10 16 4 Enigma * “The Funky Headhunter,” ... ... 1 Hammer