Debuts at #2

There are worse things than being beat by Michael Jackson, even posthumously. Corinne Bailey Rae’s critically acclaimed third album, The Sea (Capitol) arrives on Billboard’s R&B Chart at #2 for it’s debut, just behind Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” (which got it’s own boost from the 1.1 million plus DVDs sold it’s first week). Bailey Rae also made the Top Ten of the Billboard Hot 100 (#7) and earned its respectable #3 lot on the Digital Album Chart. Not bad for a lady who’s been off the grid the last three years.

Climbing Her Way To Your Heart

Maysa’s first straight ahead jazz album, “Woman In Love” also made an appearance on the Billboard R&B chart (#70). Melanie Fiona’s The Bridge got a jump from #14 to #8 on the R&B chart on the success of “It Kills Me” which has still been enjoying high rotation on Urban Adult Contemporary radio for several weeks. Speaking of boosts, India Arie got a post-Grammy boost from her win for “Testimony Vol. 2: Love and Politics.” Mary holds firm in the Top 5 of the R&B chart after debuting three weeks ago at #1 with Stronger With Each Tear.” Alicia Keys joins Mary in that rarified air thanks to iTunes sells favorite, “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart.” Speaking of legends, despite a rash of recent televised performances, including a moving rendition of Legend’s self-penned “Motherless Child” on the Hope For Haiti telethon, Evolver continues it’s decline, so far failing to achieve the platinum success of its forebears. Can someone please release the killing “It’s Over featuring Kanye West” to get Legend’s album over it’s hump? One act who sings about humps but certainly doesn’t need any helping getting over any is the Black Eye Peas; they round out the R&B Top 5 (#10 Hot 100), marking a spectacular return to the hills of Mount Billboard.

TAGS: Black Eye Peas, Corinne Bailey rae, India Arie, John Legend, Masa, Michael Jackson