'Dreamgirls' Takes No. 1 In Sluggish Sales Week

[Damien J.]

In a slow week for both sales and new releases, the Sony soundtrack to the Beyonce-starring "Dreamgirls" ascends 3-1 to claim the summit. The set sold 66,000 copies in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan, despite a sales decrease of 36%. Indeed, "Dreamgirls" registers the lowest sales total for a No. 1 album since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991.

However, "Dreamgirls" becomes the first film soundtrack to rise to the top since "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" in 2002.

Every top 10 title on The Billboard 200 experienced a sales hit of 27% or more. Overall, album sales are down 34% from last week's total and 18% compared to the same week a year ago at 9.41 million units.

Akon's SRC/Universal release "Konvicted" keeps the No. 2 spot warm for a second week with 64,000 (-43%) while Daughtry's self-title RCA debut re-enters the top tier on an 11-3 climb with 56,000 (-27%). "FutureSex/LoveSounds" by Justin Timberlake (Jive) rises 8-4 with 52,000 and a 38% sales dip. The compilation "NOW 23" takes a 46% sales hit at 48,000, ascending 6-5.

The soundtrack to Disney's "Hannah Montana" registers 46,000 (-40%), rising 10-6. Young Jeezy's "The Inspiration" (Def Jam) falls 5-7 with 45,000 (-51%), while Nas' "Hip Hop Is Dead" shifted about 200 copies less than "The Inspiration," a 55% sales decrease, and drops 4-8.

The Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol set "Love" rebounds 13-9, with 44,000 (-34%). After bowing at No. 1 last week, Omarion's "21" (Epic) takes one of the biggest sales hits on the chart this week, falling to No. 10 with a 65% decrease to 42,000.

Only one new title cracked the top 50 on The Billboard 200 this week: Carly Simon's covers album "Into White" (Columbia) enters at No. 15 with 40,000. Her last release, "Moonlight Serenade," started at No. 7 in 2005 with 58,000.

This report is provided by Billboard.com