POP ALBUM CHART : Abdul-Jackson Duel Continues

In the long-running battle among dance-music divas Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson for pop-chart supremacy, Abdul continues to reign on the Billboard magazine pop album chart. But in the next week or two, Jackson could unseat Abdul. Jackson’s “Escapade” single, currently No. 1 on the pop singles’ chart, is hotter than Abdul’s “Opposites Attract” single, which is No. 6 and sliding down the chart. Also, Jackson is getting a lot of publicity because of her first tour. Buoyed by her Grammy haul, Bonnie Raitt’s “Nick of Time” album vaulted from No. 40 to No. 22.

* The Polish female vocalist Basia, who sings both soul and Latin-flavored songs, is no flash-in-the-pan. “London Warsaw New York,” the follow-up to her hit debut album, entered the pop chart at No. 149 last week but took a stratospheric leap to No. 34.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Forever Your Girl” 1 1 86 Paula Abdul (Virgin) 2. “Rhythm Nation 1814” 2 2 23 Janet Jackson (A&M;) 3. “... But Seriously” 4 4 15 Phil Collins (Atlantic) 4. “Cosmic Thing” 5 5 34 The B-52’s (Reprise) 5. “Girl You Know It’s True” 3 3 51 Milli Vanilli (Arista) * “London Warsaw New York” 149 --- 2 Basia (Epic)