Chart Notes With Gordon Murray

The superstar sax trio of Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters and Steve Cole, known as the Sax Pack, perch atop the chart for a seventh consecutive week with "Fallin' for You" (Shanachie). Only two other songs have hung on at No. 1 for as many weeks this year: Kenny G's "Sax-o-loco" (Starbucks/Concord/CMG) and Jessy J's "Tequila Moon" (Peak/CMG). The last time a song began a run at No. 1 that lasted more than seven weeks was exactly a year ago, when Rick Braun & Richard Elliot began their 10-week run with "R n R" (ARTizen).

Eric Darius collects his first Top 5 smash on the BDS chart and takes this week's Most Increased Plays honors with "Goin' All Out" (Blue Note/Capitol) (6-4, up 53). This fifth BDS chart entry for Darius marks his first Top 5 hit; his previous high peak was his first, "If I Ain't Got You" (Narada Jazz/BLG), which peaked at No. 12 in the fall of 2006.

Chuck Loeb's former No. 1 smash "Window of the Soul" (Heads Up) falls to No. 10 (-46), marking what could be the song's last week in the Top 10. At 25 weeks, Loeb only trails Jessy J's "Tequila Moon" (Peak/CMG) at 26 weeks and Brian Culbertson's "Let's Get Started" (GRP/Verve) at 28 weeks for songs with the most weeks in the Top 10.

If he hangs in there for two more weeks (before falling victim to recurrent status at 20 weeks on the chart and below No. 15), Loeb will set a brand-new BDS chart record: the most weeks on the chart, period. Currently, at 40 weeks on, he's in a five-way tie for second place; three songs spent 41 weeks each on the chart: Pieces of a Dream's "Forward Emotion" (Heads Up), Ray Parker Jr.'s "Mismayola Beach" (Raydio) and Jay Soto's "Slammin" (NuGroove).

Speaking of Jay Soto, his "Stay Awhile" (NuGroove) (22-20) is one of two songs to be honored with Airpower status this week. It took 18 weeks for Soto to break into Airpower status, so he may be on his way to breaking his own record for longevity. Also achieving the Airpower distinction is Najee's "Out of a Dream" (Heads Up) (21-19). Tim Bowman's "Sweet Sundays" (Trippin 'N' Rhythm) is the week's Most Added title, with new airplay at KSSJ/Sacramento and KYOT/Phoenix.

New this week: Euge Groove follows up his No. 2 hit "Mr. Groove" with "Religify" (Narada Jazz/Capitol) at No. 23; Michael Lington's NuGroove label debut, "You And I," comes in at No. 26; and Fourplay's Heads Up label debut, "Fortune Teller," is welcomed at No. 28. The latter's much-anticipated new album "Energy" arrives on Sept. 23.

By Gordon Murray - radioandrecords.com 9/5/08
Copyright © 2008 The Nielsen Company. All rights reserved.

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