STACKING UP SALES

Total album and single sales of CDs and cassettes for the week ended Sept. 19, compared to week-ago and year-ago levels, in thousands of units sold: Latest week Albums: 9,850 Singles: 2,034

Week-ago Albums: 9,344 Singles: 2,098

Year-ago Albums: 9,011 Singles: 1,876

Atop the Charts

The biggest-selling albums and most popular singles--based on sales or radio airplay--for a range of musical categories, for the week ended Sept. 19. Both are indicators of music company performance. ALBUMS: Category: Overall Title: In Pieces Artist: Garth Brooks Rank last wk.: 1 Label: Liberty Parent company: EMI

Category: Christian/Contemp. Title: Free at Last Artist: D.C. Talk Rank last wk.: 1* Label: Forefront Parent company: Starsong

Category: Country Title: In Pieces Artist: Garth Brooks Rank last wk.: 1 Label: Liberty Parent company: EMI

Category: Gospel Title: It Remains to Be Seen Artist: Miss. Mass Choir Rank last wk.: 1* Label: Malaco Parent company: Malaco

Category: Latin/Pop Title: Mi Tierra Artist: Gloria Estefan Rank last wk.: 1* Label: Epic Parent company: Sony

Category: New Artists Title: Become What You Are Artist: Juliana Hatfield Three Rank last wk.: 1 Label: Mammoth Parent company: Time Warner

Category: R&B; Title: Music Box Artist: Mariah Carey Rank last wk.: 1 Label: Columbia Parent company: Sony

Category: Overall Title: Whoomp! (There It Is) Artist: Tag Team Rank last wk.: 1 Label: Life/Bellmark Parent company: EMI

Category: Contemporary Title: The River of Dreams Artist: Billy Joel Rank last wk.: 1 Label: Columbia Parent company: Sony

Category: Country Title: Holdin’ Heaven Artist: Tracy Byrd Rank last wk.: 2 Label: MCA Parent company: MCA

Category: Dance Title: HBreakadawn Artist: De la Soul Rank last wk.: 1 Label: Tommy Boy Parent company: Time Warner

Category: Latin Title: Nunca Voy a Olvidarte Artist: Cristian Rank last wk.: 1 Label: Melody Parent company: Fonovisa

Category: R&B; Title: Dreamlover Artist: Mariah Carey Rank last wk.: 1 Label: Columbia Parent company: Sony

Category: Rap Title: Grand Groove/At Large Artist: Intelligent Hoodlums Rank last wk.: 3 Label: Tuff Break Parent company: A&M;

Category: Album rock track Title: Peace Pipe Artist: Cry of Love Rank last wk.: 1 Label: Columbia Parent company: Sony

Category: Modern rock track Title: Soul to Squeeze Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers Rank last wk.: 2 Label: Warner Bros. Parent company: Time Warner

* Ranking from two weeks ago

Sources: Soundscan Inc.; Billboard magazine