"J.LO" ON A CHART HIGH,
O-TOWN STEPS OUT

Thanks to the fruits of a multimedia marketing/promotion campaign that includes a new movie, Jennifer Lopez's just-released Epic Records album, "J.Lo," will contend for the #1 slot on the album chart next week with 250k in sales, according to one-day reports from retailers around the country. Its chief competition will come from Hollywood Records' hot "Save The Last Dance" soundtrack, though it would have to add another 85k to this week's sales numbers, which were already a boost of nearly 100k from the week before, to approach Lopez's projected total. Those two will battle it out with the still-strong Beatles and Shaggy for the top spot.

Clive Davis has reason to beam as the self-titled debut from O-Town, the first release on his J Records and Lou Pearlman's latest discovery, looks headed to 150k-180k in sales, topping its chief competition, which happens to be on his former label, ironically enough. That would be the debut album from girl group Dream, on Bad Boy/Arista, which looks like it will rack up an impressive 100k.

Now, it's left to see if Lopez can achieve an unprecedented #1 at both the theatrical box office and on the album chart. Her film, "The Wedding Planner," hits theaters Friday. The double-play would be an affirmation of the cooperation between Sony's music label and movie studio in jointly promoting the projects.