Aerosmith Edges ‘Space Jam’
Rock veterans Aerosmith used one of their “Nine Lives†to grab the top slot on the national album charts by the slimmest of margins. The collection sold almost 140,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan, edging out the “Space Jam†soundtrack by a couple hundred copies. U2’s “Pop†suffered a sharp drop, from No. 2 to No. 8. The week’s highest-selling single, for the third straight week, was Sean “Puff Daddy†Combs’ “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down.â€
What’s Hot
Here are some recent releases that are generating critical or commercial attention:
Erykah Badu’s “Baduizm†(Universal). A seductive, soothing amalgamation of black-nationalist politics, romance, jazz poetry and hip-hop sass.
Enrique Iglesias’ “Vivir†(Fonovisa). More pop formula--corny love ballads, conventional arrangements--from Julio’s mega-star son.
Spice Girls’ “Spice†(Virgin). This sexy, prepackaged, female version of the Monkees appears shamelessly one-dimensional--even if it’s all in the name of fun.
Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, “Beyond the Missouri Sky (Short Stories)†(Verve). Impressionistic, sentimental, folk-influenced duets from the Missouri-born bassist and guitarist.
U2’s “Pop†(Island). Engrossing mix of the energy of the dance music scene with songs that explore questions of personal and spiritual ideals and doubts.
Warren G’s “Take a Look Over Your Shoulder†(Def Jam/Mercury). While there are few musical departures from the world of Parliament/Cameo style funk, Warren G’s remakes of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff†and Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It†mark him as one of hip-hop’s most musically gifted producers.
What’s New
The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Life After Death . . . ‘Til Death Do Us Part†(Arista), Warren G’s “Take a Look Over Your Shoulder†(G Funk Music/RAL/Def Jam), Alison Krauss & Union Station’s “So Long So Wrong†(Rounder), Charlie Hunter Quartet’s “Natty Dread†(Blue Note), Dinosaur Jr.’s “Hand It Over†(Reprise), Antonio Hart’s “Here I Stand†(Impulse!) and Nanci Griffith’s “Blue Roses From the Moon†(Elektra).
What’s Coming
Tuesday:
Buckshot Le Fonque’s (Branford Marsalis) “Music Evolution†(Columbia), Cyndi Lauper’s “Sisters of Avalon†(Epic), Little Axe’s “Slow Fuse,†Lit’s “Trip the Light Fantastic†(Malicious Vinyl/Red Ant).
April 8: The Chemical Brother’s “Dig Your Own Hole†(Astralwerks/Caroline), Chris Rock’s “Roll With the New†(DreamWorks), Boz Scaggs’ “Come on Home†(Virgin), that dog’s “Retreat From the Sun†(DGC).
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