ONE-DAY SALES:
TRY TO CONTAIN YOUR EXCITEMENT

Just as the unusual sounds and sights of thunder and lightning brought a respite from the monotony of another Southern California summer this week, so, too, did the midsummer appearance of customers in record sections, picking up gratifying numbers of several new releases. Unfortunately, the thrill was fleeting. Retail won’t see another can’t-miss title until Aug. 12, when the red-hot RCA Label Group comes with a greatest-hits package from Country superstar Alan Jackson that sports two new cuts.

But, in terms of the releases that hit stores yesterday (7/29), only one—Elektra/EEG R&B group LSG—has a shot to break 50k in first-week sales or threaten the Top 10. The lack of a radio story puts a ceiling on the sales picture for the album.

The lack of new blood at retail means we’ll be seeing the usual suspects at the top of next week’s chart, with Bad/Boy/Universal’s sizzling Bad Boys II soundtrack retaining its hold on #1 for the third straight week. The other recent release with measurable juice is DTP/Capitol hip-hop newcomer Chingy—and its worth noting that both BBII and the Chingster are the beneficiaries of significant spins at radio.

Otherwise, it’s hard to suppress a yawn when scrutinizing the picture for the next two weeks. Please join us in a wretched howl for the dog days, because they’re definitely here.