Michael Jackson scores 10th UK Number One album with posthumous release

May 18, 2014 18:53

The Black Keys make do with Number Two in Official Albums Chart for 'Turn Blue'

Michael Jackson has scored his 10th Official Albums Chart Number One album this evening (May 18) with posthumous release 'Xscape'.

The album includes eight unreleased songs worked on by contemporary artists and producers, including Timbaland and Stargate. The album is the project of executive producer LA Reid, who was granted unlimited access to four decades' worth of Jackson's vocal material.

Close behind, The Black Keys have had their highest ever charting UK album with 'Turn Blue' in at Number Two. Other new entries in the Top 40 include Foxes' debut album 'Glorious', which is in at Number Five and Blondie's 'Blondie 4(0)-Ever' collection - which is a greatest hits and their new album 'Ghosts Of Download' combined - at Number 16. Swans have had their highest charting UK album with 'To Be Kind' at Number 38.

Meanwhile, in the Official Singles Chart, Rita Ora has taken the Number One spot with 'I Will Never Let You Down', her fourth chart topping track. "I've just found out I'm Number One with 'I Will Never Let You Down' and it's amazing!" said the singer. "It's crazy that it's the fourth one! I'm honoured. As you can see, I have no words! I can't believe it… I'm just so happy that my fans are so supportive because this is a special, personal song for me." The track was written by Ora's boyfriend Calvin Harris, and is the ninth Number One that the producer and DJ has been involved with. Ora added: "He's had such an incredible career in his own right. It was such a clear, easy song to do. There was nobody else involved other than me and Calvin. It all happened really naturally."

Eurovision Song Contest winner, Austrian drag act Conchita Wurst had this week's second highest new entry, with 'Rise Like A Phoenix' coming at Number 17.

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"Book of Mormon" is number 3 on album chart

By Keith Caulfield

Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:51pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - The original Broadway cast recording of "The Book of Mormon" comes roaring in at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

It re-enters with 61,000 sold (up 2,116%) following the show's nine Tony Award wins, including best musical, on June 12. It's the highest-charting Broadway cast album-and first top 10-since 1969, when "Hair" spent 13 straight weeks at No. 1.

"Mormon" (Ghostlight Records, distributed by Sony) also owns the largest sales week for any cast album since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991.

The previous best sales week for a cast set belonged to the original London cast recording of "Phantom of the Opera" (Highlights), which sold 54,000 during Christmas week of 1992.

The set's eye-popping sales were bolstered by Amazon MP3's multi-day sale-pricing of the digital album. The retailer offered it at $1.99 for three days during the sales tracking week that ended on June 12. Amazon MP3 tweeted and promoted the set almost daily from midnight on Thursday through Sunday evening. The theatrical production's Twitter account (@bookofmormonbwy) tweeted about the deal 10 times during the tracking week as well.

Additionally, Amazon ran a TV commercial during the Tony telecast, touting its $1.99 deal. In turn, of the album's 61,000 haul, downloads account for 85% of the total. Executives at Ghostlight and Sony didn't respond to requests for comment on the Amazon MP3 deal, though sources say Ghostlight worked with Amazon by giving it a pricing discount to help its promotion of the set.

Amazon's "Mormon" deal follows its controversial move to sell Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" for 99 cents on two days during its release week. The difference here is that Gaga's label (Interscope) and distributor (Universal Music) quickly distanced themselves from the deal and said the retailer acted alone in its decision to sell and promote the set for such a low price.

"Mormon"-with music and lyrics by "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and "Avenue Q" co-writer Robert Lopez-opened March 24 at Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theater. Ads touting the cast album have been running during "South Park" episodes on Comedy Central, while Parker and Stone have promoted the show on NBC's "Today" and "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart."

The musical's nine Tony wins included best direction, featured actress (Nikki M. James) and score.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)

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