Universal dominates albums top five.

Chart coup underlines major's market-leading position

by Paul Williams

Universal was yesterday (Sunday) aiming to fill four of the top five slots on the UK artist albums chart as it dominates the market like never before.

A combination of Scissor Sisters, The Fratellis, Razorlight and Snow Patrol has ensured the major moves into the critical fourth quarter in the rudest of health; a week ago it set a new benchmark by becoming the first company to control more than 50% of the market with a record- breaking 58.1% share. To further underline its domination, it also occupied six of the chart's Top 10 places.

Universal's share was more than three times that of closest rival Sony BMG and more than 20 percentage points bigger than the other three majors combined. Although it heads the artist albums market most weeks, more usually Universal can expect to lead with a share of between 30% and 40%, although it did nudge 45% for a couple of weeks in August.

Polydor alone a week ago claimed a 38.5% control of the sector, its share boosted by 288,167 opening sales for the Scissor Sisters album Ta- Dah, which was safely on course to claim a second week at the top over the weekend. The same company was also looking to retain a top five place with Snow Patrol's Eyes Open, while sister companies Island and Mercury were also top five bound respectively with The Fratellis' Costello Music and Razorlight's self-titled second album.

Another half a dozen Universal albums were also aiming for Top 20 places ahead of the arrival of a crowded fourth quarter of big releases from the major, beginning today (Monday) with new albums by acts including The Killers, Beck ...