A close-fought battle for the U.K.’s No. 1 singles crown this week was won by Blu Cantrell’s “Breathe” featuring Sean Paul (Arista), which tops the chart for the third week. Meanwhile, there was a third posthumous No. 1 album for the late Eva Cassidy with “American Tune” (Blix St/Hot), a new collection of previously unreleased recordings. Prior Cassidy albums “Songbird” and “Imagine” went to No. 1 in March 2001 and August 2002, respectively.
Cantrell kept the No. 1 spot on the singles chart despite continuing strong sales for Ultrabeat’s “Pretty Green Eyes” (All Around the World), which held its entry position of No. 2 for a second week. “Sleeping With the Light On” (Universal), the fourth hit by boy band Busted, had been tipped to debut at No. 1 but settled for No. 3.
There was a No. 4 debut for U.K. R&B producer-artist Jaimeson with “Complete” (J-Did/V2) while “Finest Dreams” by Richard X featuring Kelis (Virgin) opened at No. 8. Richard X made his name via his work on Sugababes’ chart-topping “Freak Like Me” single. “Finest Dreams” combines elements of the S.O.S. Band’s “The Finest” and the Human League’s “The Things Dreams Are Made Of’.” R. Kelly’s “Snake” featuring Big Trigger (Jive) landed at No. 10.
The album chart also boasted a No. 7 debut for “Kokopelli” (Arista), the second album by Bristol-based dance trio Kosheen. That’s one place better than its debut set, “Resist,” which charted in September 2001. News of Luther Vandross’ improving health coincided with a No. 18 debut for Epic’s new collection “The Essential Luther Vandross” as well as a 63-42 climb for his current J release “Dance With My Father.”
Across Europe, Evanescence replaced Beyonce for a second run atop both of Music & Media’s pan-European charts. “Fallen” (Wind-Up/Epic) moves 2-1 on the European Top 100 Albums chart, which it previously topped for two weeks in May and June, while “Bring Me To Life” featuring Paul McCoy rebounds 2-1 on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles survey, on which it had five weeks at No. 1 in June and July.