NOW AND HOW

Capitol/EMI’s long-running Now franchise sees its 43rd edition bow at the top of the charts with 112k in sales, the first collection to do so since 37 entered there with 151k back in Feb. 2011.

That’s enough to defeat last week’s top album, Def Jam/IDJ’s Rick Ross, who slips to #2, adding another 56k.

Reprise’s 2008 Frank Sinatra hits collection, Nothing but the Best, returns to the chart, thanks to an Amazon MP3 99-cent sale, with 42k, good for #3.

RCA’s Elle Varner is the other top debut, entering at #5 with 31k, just behind former chart-topper Atlantic country-rockers Zac Brown Band at #4.

Island/IDJ’s Justin Bieber (#6), Syco/Columbia’s One Direction (#7), XL/Columbia’s Adele (#8) and Razor & Tie’s Kidz Bop Kids all remain in the Top 10 along with newcomer Average Joe’s country singer/songwriter Colt Ford, breaking through at #9.

Other Top 50 new entries include Columbia’s John Mayer Complete 2012 Performances live EP (#18), Palehorse’s 10 Years (#27), Highway’s David Archuleta (#31), Capitol/EMI’s Now Party Anthems (#32) and UMe’s Now Country 5 (#35).

ATO’s Alabama Shakes (#39), New Elektra’s Ed Sheeran (#41), Atlantic’s Jason Mraz (#48) and Nonesuch’s The Black Keys (#49) all return to the chart.

Glassnote’s Mumford & Sons album, Sigh No More, is the week’s top double-digit gainer, moving #35-19, +57% on news of the follow-up, Babel, coming out Sept. 25.

Other notable strides are made by Atlantic’s Hunter Hayes (#49-30, +37%), Republic’s Of Monsters and Men (#33-20, +36%), Fueled by Ramen’s fun. (#22-12, +34%), Dualtone’s The Lumineers (#24-15, +29%) and Columbia’s John Mayer Born and Raised (#31-22, +22%).

Hitting retail this week are Def Jam/IDJ’s 2 Chainz, expecting to debut at #1 next Tuesday, INgrooves Fontana’s Insane Clown Posse, Hopeless’ Yellowcard, Sony Legacy’s Incubus and Forefront/EMI Christian Music Group’s TobyMac.